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 Shalvey, accounting for 62.6% (2,159 people). This share was higher than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 206 people and 5.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Shalvey - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Shalvey 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 Shalvey, with comparison markers for Blacktown (C).
English
2021 count
2,159
% of total
62.6%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
2,159
62.6%
-5.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
495
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
495
14.4%
+5.8pp
Samoan
2021 count
159
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
159
4.6%
-0.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
112
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
112
3.2%
+0.5pp
Tongan
2021 count
112
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
112
3.2%
-0.2pp
Urdu
2021 count
32
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
32
0.9%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
28
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
28
0.8%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
26
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
26
0.8%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
21
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
21
0.6%
-0.4pp
Bengali
2021 count
20
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
20
0.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-206
-5.7pp
Not stated
+196
+5.8pp
Samoan
-28
-0.8pp
Arabic
+20
+0.5pp
Tongan
-5
-0.2pp
Urdu
-4
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+6
+0.2pp
Hindi
-12
-0.3pp
Spanish
-15
-0.4pp
Turkish
+9
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Shalvey. 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 | 2,159 | 62.6% | 47.6% | 2,365 | 68.3% | 53.7% | -206 | -5.7pp |
| Not stated | 495 | 14.4% | 6.1% | 299 | 8.6% | 5.3% | +196 | +5.8pp |
| Samoan | 159 | 4.6% | 1.0% | 187 | 5.4% | 1.1% | -28 | -0.8pp |
| Arabic | 112 | 3.2% | 2.9% | 92 | 2.7% | 3.0% | +20 | +0.5pp |
| Tongan | 112 | 3.2% | 0.6% | 117 | 3.4% | 0.6% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Urdu | 32 | 0.9% | 2.2% | 36 | 1.0% | 1.6% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 28 | 0.8% | 3.8% | 22 | 0.6% | 4.0% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 26 | 0.8% | 4.4% | 38 | 1.1% | 4.0% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 36 | 1.0% | 0.9% | -15 | -0.4pp |
| Bengali | 20 | 0.6% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Total | 3,447 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,464 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -17 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.