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 Doonside, accounting for 47.3% (6,424 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,899 people, while its share fell by 45.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Doonside - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Doonside 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 Doonside, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
English
2021 count
6,424
% of total
47.3%
Change from 2016
-45.8pp
6,424
47.3%
-45.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,061
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
1,061
7.8%
+3.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
896
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-
896
6.6%
-
Arabic
2021 count
545
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-
545
4.0%
-
Hindi
2021 count
499
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-
499
3.7%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
434
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-
434
3.2%
-
Filipino
2021 count
409
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-
409
3.0%
-
Tamil
2021 count
236
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
236
1.7%
-
Nepali
2021 count
227
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
227
1.7%
-
Tongan
2021 count
167
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
167
1.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,899
-45.8pp
Not stated
+988
+3.3pp
Spanish
+121
+0.7pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+82
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+55
+0.2pp
Italian
+37
-0.1pp
Thai
+29
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Doonside. 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 | 6,424 | 47.3% | 47.6% | 1,525 | 93.1% | 53.7% | +4,899 | -45.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,061 | 7.8% | 6.1% | 73 | 4.5% | 5.3% | +988 | +3.3pp |
| Tagalog | 896 | 6.6% | 3.8% | - | - | 4.0% | - | - |
| Arabic | 545 | 4.0% | 2.9% | - | - | 3.0% | - | - |
| Hindi | 499 | 3.7% | 4.4% | - | - | 4.0% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 434 | 3.2% | 5.2% | - | - | 3.6% | - | - |
| Filipino | 409 | 3.0% | 1.9% | - | - | 1.9% | - | - |
| Tamil | 236 | 1.7% | 2.0% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Nepali | 227 | 1.7% | 1.1% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Tongan | 167 | 1.2% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Total | 13,586 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,638 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +11,948 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.