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 Rooty Hill, accounting for 40.3% (6,517 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tagalog, which increased by 1,518 people and 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Rooty Hill - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Rooty Hill 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 Rooty Hill, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
English
2021 count
6,517
% of total
40.3%
Change from 2016
-29.9pp
6,517
40.3%
-29.9pp
Tagalog
2021 count
1,565
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+9.1pp
1,565
9.7%
+9.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,221
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
1,221
7.5%
+1.8pp
Filipino
2021 count
817
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
817
5.0%
+4.7pp
Urdu
2021 count
809
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
809
5.0%
+4.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
582
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
582
3.6%
+2.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
420
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
420
2.6%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
371
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
371
2.3%
+2.2pp
Samoan
2021 count
273
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
273
1.7%
-0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
261
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
261
1.6%
+1.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,011
-29.9pp
Tagalog
+1,518
+9.1pp
Not stated
+776
+1.8pp
Filipino
+790
+4.7pp
Urdu
+760
+4.4pp
Hindi
+493
+2.5pp
Arabic
+223
+0.1pp
Nepali
+365
+2.2pp
Samoan
+128
-0.1pp
Punjabi
+244
+1.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Rooty Hill. 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 | 6,517 | 40.3% | 47.6% | 5,506 | 70.2% | 53.7% | +1,011 | -29.9pp |
| Tagalog | 1,565 | 9.7% | 3.8% | 47 | 0.6% | 4.0% | +1,518 | +9.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,221 | 7.5% | 6.1% | 445 | 5.7% | 5.3% | +776 | +1.8pp |
| Filipino | 817 | 5.0% | 1.9% | 27 | 0.3% | 1.9% | +790 | +4.7pp |
| Urdu | 809 | 5.0% | 2.2% | 49 | 0.6% | 1.6% | +760 | +4.4pp |
| Hindi | 582 | 3.6% | 4.4% | 89 | 1.1% | 4.0% | +493 | +2.5pp |
| Arabic | 420 | 2.6% | 2.9% | 197 | 2.5% | 3.0% | +223 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 371 | 2.3% | 1.1% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +365 | +2.2pp |
| Samoan | 273 | 1.7% | 1.0% | 145 | 1.8% | 1.1% | +128 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 261 | 1.6% | 5.2% | 17 | 0.2% | 3.6% | +244 | +1.4pp |
| Total | 16,188 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,838 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,350 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.