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 Parklea, accounting for 26.7% (978 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Filipino, which decreased by 36 people and 1.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Parklea - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Parklea
Blacktown (C)

Not stated

2021 count

1,368

% of total

37.4%

Change from 2016

+5.1pp

English

2021 count

978

% of total

26.7%

Change from 2016

-2.5pp

Punjabi

2021 count

246

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Hindi

2021 count

206

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Tagalog

2021 count

73

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Arabic

2021 count

71

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Mandarin

2021 count

57

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Tamil

2021 count

51

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Telugu

2021 count

49

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Sinhalese

2021 count

46

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Parklea. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Language used at home for Parklea. 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
Not stated1,36837.4%6.1%1,11632.3%5.3%+252+5.1pp
English97826.7%47.6%1,00829.2%53.7%-30-2.5pp
Punjabi2466.7%5.2%2126.1%3.6%+34+0.6pp
Hindi2065.6%4.4%2246.5%4.0%-18-0.9pp
Tagalog732.0%3.8%982.8%4.0%-25-0.8pp
Arabic711.9%2.9%651.9%3.0%+60.0pp
Mandarin571.6%1.8%411.2%1.4%+16+0.4pp
Tamil511.4%2.0%351.0%1.5%+16+0.4pp
Telugu491.3%1.1%531.5%0.5%-4-0.2pp
Sinhalese461.3%0.7%391.1%0.6%+7+0.2pp
Total3,659100.0%100.0%3,451100.0%100.0%+2080.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.