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 Blacktown, accounting for 39.3% (20,008 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 1,944 people and 3.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Blacktown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Blacktown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Blacktown (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Blacktown, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
English
2021 count
20,008
% of total
39.3%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
20,008
39.3%
-5.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
5,187
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
5,187
10.2%
+3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,579
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
3,579
7.0%
+1.7pp
Hindi
2021 count
2,266
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,266
4.4%
-0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
2,065
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,065
4.1%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
1,603
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,603
3.1%
-0.1pp
Gujarati
2021 count
1,452
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,452
2.8%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,255
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,255
2.5%
+0.2pp
Tamil
2021 count
1,095
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,095
2.1%
+0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
872
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
872
1.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-857
-5.0pp
Punjabi
+1,944
+3.3pp
Not stated
+1,068
+1.7pp
Hindi
-92
-0.6pp
Arabic
+156
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+87
-0.1pp
Gujarati
+301
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+193
+0.2pp
Tamil
+234
+0.3pp
Filipino
+125
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Blacktown. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | % | Blacktown (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 20,008 | 39.3% | 47.6% | 20,865 | 44.3% | 53.7% | -857 | -5.0pp |
| Punjabi | 5,187 | 10.2% | 5.2% | 3,243 | 6.9% | 3.6% | +1,944 | +3.3pp |
| Not stated | 3,579 | 7.0% | 6.1% | 2,511 | 5.3% | 5.3% | +1,068 | +1.7pp |
| Hindi | 2,266 | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2,358 | 5.0% | 4.0% | -92 | -0.6pp |
| Arabic | 2,065 | 4.1% | 2.9% | 1,909 | 4.0% | 3.0% | +156 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 1,603 | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1,516 | 3.2% | 4.0% | +87 | -0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 1,452 | 2.8% | 2.4% | 1,151 | 2.4% | 1.4% | +301 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 1,255 | 2.5% | 1.8% | 1,062 | 2.3% | 1.4% | +193 | +0.2pp |
| Tamil | 1,095 | 2.1% | 2.0% | 861 | 1.8% | 1.5% | +234 | +0.3pp |
| Filipino | 872 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 747 | 1.6% | 1.9% | +125 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 50,965 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 47,149 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,816 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.