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 Oakhurst (NSW), accounting for 49.5% (3,419 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 209 people and 2.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Oakhurst (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Oakhurst (NSW) 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 Oakhurst (NSW), with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).

Oakhurst (NSW)
Blacktown (C)

English

2021 count

3,419

% of total

49.5%

Change from 2016

-2.8pp

Tagalog

2021 count

569

% of total

8.2%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

448

% of total

6.5%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Hindi

2021 count

309

% of total

4.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Filipino

2021 count

279

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Arabic

2021 count

271

% of total

3.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Urdu

2021 count

226

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Punjabi

2021 count

181

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Samoan

2021 count

137

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Tongan

2021 count

88

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Data table

Language used at home for Oakhurst (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).

Language used at home for Oakhurst (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Language used at home for Oakhurst (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Blacktown (C)%Count%Blacktown (C)%Countpp
English3,41949.5%47.6%3,62852.3%53.7%-209-2.8pp
Tagalog5698.2%3.8%6409.2%4.0%-71-1.0pp
Not stated4486.5%6.1%3515.1%5.3%+97+1.4pp
Hindi3094.5%4.4%3254.7%4.0%-16-0.2pp
Filipino2794.0%1.9%2113.0%1.9%+68+1.0pp
Arabic2713.9%2.9%2613.8%3.0%+10+0.1pp
Urdu2263.3%2.2%1622.3%1.6%+64+1.0pp
Punjabi1812.6%5.2%1101.6%3.6%+71+1.0pp
Samoan1372.0%1.0%1532.2%1.1%-16-0.2pp
Tongan881.3%0.6%1051.5%0.6%-17-0.2pp
Total6,907100.0%100.0%6,933100.0%100.0%-260.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.