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 Melonba, accounting for 30.1% (430 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 420 people, while its share fell by 36.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Melonba - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Melonba 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 Melonba, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
English
2021 count
430
% of total
30.1%
Change from 2016
-36.9pp
430
30.1%
-36.9pp
Punjabi
2021 count
200
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
+12.5pp
200
14.0%
+12.5pp
Tagalog
2021 count
120
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+6.7pp
120
8.4%
+6.7pp
Gujarati
2021 count
100
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+5.6pp
100
7.0%
+5.6pp
Hindi
2021 count
76
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
76
5.3%
+4.9pp
Filipino
2021 count
72
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
72
5.0%
+4.0pp
Tamil
2021 count
50
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-
50
3.5%
-
Urdu
2021 count
50
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
50
3.5%
+3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
43
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-9.3pp
43
3.0%
-9.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
34
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
34
2.4%
+2.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+420
-36.9pp
Punjabi
+200
+12.5pp
Tagalog
+120
+6.7pp
Gujarati
+100
+5.6pp
Hindi
+76
+4.9pp
Filipino
+72
+4.0pp
Urdu
+50
+3.2pp
Not stated
+41
-9.3pp
Malayalam
+34
+2.1pp
Arabic
+24
+1.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Melonba. 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 | 430 | 30.1% | 47.6% | 10 | 67.0% | 53.7% | +420 | -36.9pp |
| Punjabi | 200 | 14.0% | 5.2% | 0 | 1.5% | 3.6% | +200 | +12.5pp |
| Tagalog | 120 | 8.4% | 3.8% | 0 | 1.7% | 4.0% | +120 | +6.7pp |
| Gujarati | 100 | 7.0% | 2.4% | 0 | 1.4% | 1.4% | +100 | +5.6pp |
| Hindi | 76 | 5.3% | 4.4% | 0 | 0.4% | 4.0% | +76 | +4.9pp |
| Filipino | 72 | 5.0% | 1.9% | 0 | 1.0% | 1.9% | +72 | +4.0pp |
| Tamil | 50 | 3.5% | 2.0% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Urdu | 50 | 3.5% | 2.2% | 0 | 0.3% | 1.6% | +50 | +3.2pp |
| Not stated | 43 | 3.0% | 6.1% | 2 | 12.3% | 5.3% | +41 | -9.3pp |
| Malayalam | 34 | 2.4% | 0.7% | 0 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +34 | +2.1pp |
| Total | 1,427 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,413 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.