Cultural diversity
Language used at home
About this topic
Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.
This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.
Interpretation notes
- The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
- Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.
Key insight
In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Yass Valley (A), accounting for 91% (15,750 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,195 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Yass Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Yass Valley (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Yass Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
15,750
% of total
91.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
15,750
91.0%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
824
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
824
4.8%
-1.5pp
German
2021 count
54
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
54
0.3%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
39
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
39
0.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
38
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
37
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
37
0.2%
0.0pp
Croatian
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
34
0.2%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
31
0.2%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
26
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,195
+0.8pp
Not stated
-192
-1.5pp
German
-7
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+2
0.0pp
Arabic
+11
0.0pp
Italian
+7
0.0pp
Croatian
-29
-0.2pp
Greek
+14
+0.1pp
Spanish
+6
0.0pp
Polish
+15
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Yass Valley (A). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| English | 15,750 | 91.0% | 86.8% | 14,555 | 90.2% | 87.1% | +1,195 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 824 | 4.8% | 6.6% | 1,016 | 6.3% | 7.1% | -192 | -1.5pp |
| German | 54 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 61 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 39 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 37 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 38 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 37 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 30 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Croatian | 34 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 63 | 0.4% | 0.1% | -29 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 31 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 31 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 26 | 0.2% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 17,303 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,132 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,171 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.