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 Prospect (NSW), accounting for 50.8% (2,639 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 93 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Prospect (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Prospect (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 Prospect (NSW), with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
English
2021 count
2,639
% of total
50.8%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
2,639
50.8%
-4.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
294
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
294
5.7%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
197
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
197
3.8%
-1.8pp
Hindi
2021 count
181
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
181
3.5%
-0.8pp
Tamil
2021 count
164
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
164
3.2%
+0.2pp
Gujarati
2021 count
142
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
142
2.7%
+1.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
135
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
135
2.6%
+1.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
129
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
129
2.5%
+1.3pp
Greek
2021 count
125
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
125
2.4%
-0.3pp
Turkish
2021 count
89
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
89
1.7%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+66
-4.8pp
Arabic
+42
+0.3pp
Not stated
-64
-1.8pp
Hindi
-16
-0.8pp
Tamil
+27
+0.2pp
Gujarati
+89
+1.5pp
Punjabi
+93
+1.7pp
Mandarin
+73
+1.3pp
Greek
-1
-0.3pp
Turkish
+21
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Prospect (NSW). 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 | 2,639 | 50.8% | 47.6% | 2,573 | 55.6% | 53.7% | +66 | -4.8pp |
| Arabic | 294 | 5.7% | 2.9% | 252 | 5.4% | 3.0% | +42 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 197 | 3.8% | 6.1% | 261 | 5.6% | 5.3% | -64 | -1.8pp |
| Hindi | 181 | 3.5% | 4.4% | 197 | 4.3% | 4.0% | -16 | -0.8pp |
| Tamil | 164 | 3.2% | 2.0% | 137 | 3.0% | 1.5% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Gujarati | 142 | 2.7% | 2.4% | 53 | 1.2% | 1.4% | +89 | +1.5pp |
| Punjabi | 135 | 2.6% | 5.2% | 42 | 0.9% | 3.6% | +93 | +1.7pp |
| Mandarin | 129 | 2.5% | 1.8% | 56 | 1.2% | 1.4% | +73 | +1.3pp |
| Greek | 125 | 2.4% | 0.5% | 126 | 2.7% | 0.6% | -1 | -0.3pp |
| Turkish | 89 | 1.7% | 0.6% | 68 | 1.5% | 0.7% | +21 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,190 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,624 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +566 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.