Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Camden (A), accounting for 74.1% (88,349 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 24,880 people, while its share fell by 7.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Camden (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Camden (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 Camden (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
Not stated
Arabic
Spanish
Hindi
Punjabi
Italian
Urdu
Nepali
Mandarin
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+24,880
-7.1pp
Not stated
+701
-0.9pp
Arabic
+1,600
+0.9pp
Spanish
+858
+0.3pp
Hindi
+1,077
+0.6pp
Punjabi
+1,119
+0.8pp
Italian
+297
-0.2pp
Urdu
+846
+0.6pp
Nepali
+950
+0.7pp
Mandarin
+432
+0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Camden (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 | 88,349 | 74.1% | 57.3% | 63,469 | 81.2% | 58.4% | +24,880 | -7.1pp |
| Not stated | 4,180 | 3.5% | 5.3% | 3,479 | 4.4% | 5.8% | +701 | -0.9pp |
| Arabic | 2,689 | 2.3% | 4.2% | 1,089 | 1.4% | 4.0% | +1,600 | +0.9pp |
| Spanish | 1,859 | 1.6% | 1.2% | 1,001 | 1.3% | 1.2% | +858 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 1,745 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 668 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +1,077 | +0.6pp |
| Punjabi | 1,333 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 214 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +1,119 | +0.8pp |
| Italian | 1,315 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 1,018 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +297 | -0.2pp |
| Urdu | 1,068 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 222 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +846 | +0.6pp |
| Nepali | 1,001 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 51 | 0.1% | 0.7% | +950 | +0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 938 | 0.8% | 5.0% | 506 | 0.6% | 4.7% | +432 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 119,300 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 78,208 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +41,092 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.