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 Burwood (A), accounting for 31.4% (12,641 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 1,639 people and 3.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Burwood (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Burwood (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Burwood (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
12,641
% of total
31.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12,641
31.4%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
8,009
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
8,009
19.9%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
3,282
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
3,282
8.2%
-0.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
2,939
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
2,939
7.3%
+3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,299
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
2,299
5.7%
+0.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,402
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,402
3.5%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
1,330
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,330
3.3%
-1.1pp
Korean
2021 count
1,139
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,139
2.8%
-1.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
949
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
949
2.4%
+0.7pp
Greek
2021 count
839
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
839
2.1%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,079
0.0pp
Mandarin
+561
-0.4pp
Cantonese
+111
-0.4pp
Nepali
+1,639
+3.8pp
Not stated
+472
+0.7pp
Arabic
+52
-0.2pp
Italian
-280
-1.1pp
Korean
-287
-1.1pp
Vietnamese
+325
+0.7pp
Greek
-91
-0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Burwood (A). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| English | 12,641 | 31.4% | 57.3% | 11,562 | 31.4% | 58.4% | +1,079 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 8,009 | 19.9% | 5.0% | 7,448 | 20.3% | 4.7% | +561 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 3,282 | 8.2% | 2.8% | 3,171 | 8.6% | 2.9% | +111 | -0.4pp |
| Nepali | 2,939 | 7.3% | 1.2% | 1,300 | 3.5% | 0.7% | +1,639 | +3.8pp |
| Not stated | 2,299 | 5.7% | 5.3% | 1,827 | 5.0% | 5.8% | +472 | +0.7pp |
| Arabic | 1,402 | 3.5% | 4.2% | 1,350 | 3.7% | 4.0% | +52 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 1,330 | 3.3% | 1.0% | 1,610 | 4.4% | 1.3% | -280 | -1.1pp |
| Korean | 1,139 | 2.8% | 1.1% | 1,426 | 3.9% | 1.2% | -287 | -1.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 949 | 2.4% | 2.2% | 624 | 1.7% | 2.1% | +325 | +0.7pp |
| Greek | 839 | 2.1% | 1.4% | 930 | 2.5% | 1.6% | -91 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 40,219 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36,775 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,444 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.