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 Bayside (NSW), accounting for 42.2% (73,964 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%).
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bayside (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bayside (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bayside (NSW), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
73,964
% of total
42.2%
Change from 2016
-
73,964
42.2%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
12,026
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-
12,026
6.9%
-
Not stated
2021 count
11,066
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-
11,066
6.3%
-
Greek
2021 count
10,429
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-
10,429
6.0%
-
Arabic
2021 count
9,495
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-
9,495
5.4%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
6,506
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-
6,506
3.7%
-
Spanish
2021 count
4,981
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-
4,981
2.8%
-
Nepali
2021 count
4,735
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-
4,735
2.7%
-
Macedonian
2021 count
4,517
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-
4,517
2.6%
-
Indonesian
2021 count
3,954
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
3,954
2.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Data table
Language used at home for Bayside (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| English | 73,964 | 42.2% | 57.3% | - | - | 58.4% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 12,026 | 6.9% | 5.0% | - | - | 4.7% | - | - |
| Not stated | 11,066 | 6.3% | 5.3% | - | - | 5.8% | - | - |
| Greek | 10,429 | 6.0% | 1.4% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Arabic | 9,495 | 5.4% | 4.2% | - | - | 4.0% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 6,506 | 3.7% | 2.8% | - | - | 2.9% | - | - |
| Spanish | 4,981 | 2.8% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Nepali | 4,735 | 2.7% | 1.2% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Macedonian | 4,517 | 2.6% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Indonesian | 3,954 | 2.3% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Total | 175,113 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - | 100.0% | - | - |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.