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 Cumberland (A), accounting for 26.6% (62,732 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 4,961 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cumberland (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cumberland (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 Cumberland (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
62,732
% of total
26.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
62,732
26.6%
-2.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
33,264
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
33,264
14.1%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
19,209
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
19,209
8.2%
+2.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
15,777
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
15,777
6.7%
+0.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
10,254
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
10,254
4.4%
+1.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
9,367
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
9,367
4.0%
-0.5pp
Tamil
2021 count
7,764
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
7,764
3.3%
+0.2pp
Turkish
2021 count
6,735
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
6,735
2.9%
-0.2pp
Urdu
2021 count
6,053
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
6,053
2.6%
+0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
5,430
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
5,430
2.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+331
-2.3pp
Arabic
+491
-1.1pp
Not stated
+7,344
+2.7pp
Mandarin
+2,141
+0.4pp
Nepali
+4,961
+1.9pp
Cantonese
-443
-0.5pp
Tamil
+1,015
+0.2pp
Turkish
+7
-0.2pp
Urdu
+1,372
+0.4pp
Hindi
+537
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cumberland (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 | 62,732 | 26.6% | 57.3% | 62,401 | 28.9% | 58.4% | +331 | -2.3pp |
| Arabic | 33,264 | 14.1% | 4.2% | 32,773 | 15.2% | 4.0% | +491 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 19,209 | 8.2% | 5.3% | 11,865 | 5.5% | 5.8% | +7,344 | +2.7pp |
| Mandarin | 15,777 | 6.7% | 5.0% | 13,636 | 6.3% | 4.7% | +2,141 | +0.4pp |
| Nepali | 10,254 | 4.4% | 1.2% | 5,293 | 2.5% | 0.7% | +4,961 | +1.9pp |
| Cantonese | 9,367 | 4.0% | 2.8% | 9,810 | 4.5% | 2.9% | -443 | -0.5pp |
| Tamil | 7,764 | 3.3% | 0.7% | 6,749 | 3.1% | 0.6% | +1,015 | +0.2pp |
| Turkish | 6,735 | 2.9% | 0.4% | 6,728 | 3.1% | 0.4% | +7 | -0.2pp |
| Urdu | 6,053 | 2.6% | 0.8% | 4,681 | 2.2% | 0.6% | +1,372 | +0.4pp |
| Hindi | 5,430 | 2.3% | 1.5% | 4,893 | 2.3% | 1.3% | +537 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 235,412 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 216,040 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +19,372 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.