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 The Ponds, accounting for 41.8% (6,802 people). This share was lower than Blacktown (C) (47.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,007 people, while its share fell by 7.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

The Ponds - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

The Ponds
Blacktown (C)

English

2021 count

6,802

% of total

41.8%

Change from 2016

-7.6pp

Hindi

2021 count

1,413

% of total

8.7%

Change from 2016

+2.8pp

Punjabi

2021 count

1,114

% of total

6.8%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Gujarati

2021 count

684

% of total

4.2%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Urdu

2021 count

527

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Mandarin

2021 count

516

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Telugu

2021 count

454

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

450

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Tamil

2021 count

425

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Bengali

2021 count

306

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for The Ponds. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Blacktown (C).
Language used at home for The Ponds. 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
English6,80241.8%47.6%5,79549.4%53.7%+1,007-7.6pp
Hindi1,4138.7%4.4%6875.9%4.0%+726+2.8pp
Punjabi1,1146.8%5.2%6996.0%3.6%+415+0.8pp
Gujarati6844.2%2.4%3292.8%1.4%+355+1.4pp
Urdu5273.2%2.2%2382.0%1.6%+289+1.2pp
Mandarin5163.2%1.8%2892.5%1.4%+227+0.7pp
Telugu4542.8%1.1%1661.4%0.5%+288+1.4pp
Not stated4502.8%6.1%4283.6%5.3%+22-0.8pp
Tamil4252.6%2.0%1791.5%1.5%+246+1.1pp
Bengali3061.9%1.1%2261.9%1.0%+800.0pp
Total16,284100.0%100.0%11,727100.0%100.0%+4,5570.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.