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, Mandarin was the most common language used at home among residents in Auburn (NSW), accounting for 14.1% (5,555 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (6.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,692 people, while its share fell by 82.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Auburn (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Auburn (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Auburn (NSW), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Mandarin
2021 count
5,555
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-
5,555
14.1%
-
Nepali
2021 count
4,972
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-
4,972
12.6%
-
English
2021 count
4,811
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-82.2pp
4,811
12.2%
-82.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
4,120
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-
4,120
10.5%
-
Not stated
2021 count
3,578
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
3,578
9.1%
+3.5pp
Turkish
2021 count
2,957
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-
2,957
7.5%
-
Urdu
2021 count
2,673
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-
2,673
6.8%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
2,411
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-
2,411
6.1%
-
Hazaraghi
2021 count
1,032
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-
1,032
2.6%
-
Tamil
2021 count
783
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-
783
2.0%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,692
-82.2pp
Not stated
+3,571
+3.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Auburn (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Mandarin | 5,555 | 14.1% | 6.7% | - | - | 6.3% | - | - |
| Nepali | 4,972 | 12.6% | 4.4% | - | - | 2.5% | - | - |
| English | 4,811 | 12.2% | 26.6% | 119 | 94.4% | 28.9% | +4,692 | -82.2pp |
| Arabic | 4,120 | 10.5% | 14.1% | - | - | 15.2% | - | - |
| Not stated | 3,578 | 9.1% | 8.2% | 7 | 5.6% | 5.5% | +3,571 | +3.5pp |
| Turkish | 2,957 | 7.5% | 2.9% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Urdu | 2,673 | 6.8% | 2.6% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 2,411 | 6.1% | 4.0% | - | - | 4.5% | - | - |
| Hazaraghi | 1,032 | 2.6% | 1.7% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Tamil | 783 | 2.0% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Total | 39,327 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 126 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +39,201 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.