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 Girraween (NSW), accounting for 22.9% (1,425 people). This share was lower than Cumberland (A) (26.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tamil, which increased by 268 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Girraween (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Girraween (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 Girraween (NSW), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
English
2021 count
1,425
% of total
22.9%
Change from 2016
-7.3pp
1,425
22.9%
-7.3pp
Tamil
2021 count
1,290
% of total
20.7%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
1,290
20.7%
+2.2pp
Gujarati
2021 count
624
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
624
10.0%
+0.5pp
Telugu
2021 count
463
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
463
7.4%
+2.9pp
Hindi
2021 count
460
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
460
7.4%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
248
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
248
4.0%
-0.4pp
Malayalam
2021 count
208
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
208
3.3%
+1.9pp
Punjabi
2021 count
153
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
153
2.5%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
122
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
122
2.0%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
122
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
122
2.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-248
-7.3pp
Tamil
+268
+2.2pp
Gujarati
+99
+0.5pp
Telugu
+214
+2.9pp
Hindi
+101
+0.9pp
Not stated
+2
-0.4pp
Malayalam
+130
+1.9pp
Punjabi
+18
+0.1pp
Arabic
+18
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+6
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Girraween (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 | |
| English | 1,425 | 22.9% | 26.6% | 1,673 | 30.2% | 28.9% | -248 | -7.3pp |
| Tamil | 1,290 | 20.7% | 3.3% | 1,022 | 18.5% | 3.1% | +268 | +2.2pp |
| Gujarati | 624 | 10.0% | 1.6% | 525 | 9.5% | 1.6% | +99 | +0.5pp |
| Telugu | 463 | 7.4% | 1.4% | 249 | 4.5% | 0.8% | +214 | +2.9pp |
| Hindi | 460 | 7.4% | 2.3% | 359 | 6.5% | 2.3% | +101 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 248 | 4.0% | 8.2% | 246 | 4.4% | 5.5% | +2 | -0.4pp |
| Malayalam | 208 | 3.3% | 0.6% | 78 | 1.4% | 0.4% | +130 | +1.9pp |
| Punjabi | 153 | 2.5% | 1.2% | 135 | 2.4% | 1.3% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 122 | 2.0% | 14.1% | 104 | 1.9% | 15.2% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 122 | 2.0% | 6.7% | 116 | 2.1% | 6.3% | +6 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,229 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,534 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +695 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.