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 Narellan Vale, accounting for 86.4% (5,981 people). This share was higher than Camden (A) (74.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 346 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Narellan Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Narellan Vale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Camden (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Narellan Vale, with comparison markers for Camden (A).
English
2021 count
5,981
% of total
86.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
5,981
86.4%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
234
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
234
3.4%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
80
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
80
1.2%
+0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
75
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
75
1.1%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
41
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
41
0.6%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
30
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
30
0.4%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
24
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
24
0.3%
-0.1pp
Samoan
2021 count
24
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.3%
0.0pp
Maltese
2021 count
23
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
23
0.3%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
22
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-346
-1.6pp
Not stated
-27
-0.2pp
Arabic
+23
+0.4pp
Spanish
+2
+0.1pp
Greek
+14
+0.2pp
Italian
-18
-0.3pp
Mandarin
-2
-0.1pp
Samoan
+2
0.0pp
Maltese
+9
+0.1pp
Hindi
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Narellan Vale. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Camden (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Camden (A)% | Count | % | Camden (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,981 | 86.4% | 74.1% | 6,327 | 88.0% | 81.2% | -346 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 234 | 3.4% | 3.5% | 261 | 3.6% | 4.4% | -27 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 80 | 1.2% | 2.3% | 57 | 0.8% | 1.4% | +23 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 75 | 1.1% | 1.6% | 73 | 1.0% | 1.3% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 41 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 27 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 30 | 0.4% | 1.1% | 48 | 0.7% | 1.3% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 24 | 0.3% | 0.8% | 26 | 0.4% | 0.6% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Samoan | 24 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 22 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Maltese | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 14 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 22 | 0.3% | 1.5% | 24 | 0.3% | 0.9% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,920 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,186 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -266 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.