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 Greystanes, accounting for 55.5% (13,036 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (26.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 704 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Greystanes - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Greystanes 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 Greystanes, with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
English
2021 count
13,036
% of total
55.5%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
13,036
55.5%
-3.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
3,064
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
3,064
13.0%
+2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,222
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
1,222
5.2%
+1.2pp
Maltese
2021 count
548
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
548
2.3%
-0.8pp
Greek
2021 count
490
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
490
2.1%
-0.1pp
Turkish
2021 count
398
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
398
1.7%
+0.2pp
Croatian
2021 count
370
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
370
1.6%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
359
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
359
1.5%
-0.6pp
Cantonese
2021 count
340
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
340
1.4%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
337
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
337
1.4%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-313
-3.1pp
Arabic
+704
+2.6pp
Not stated
+315
+1.2pp
Maltese
-153
-0.8pp
Greek
-19
-0.1pp
Turkish
+45
+0.2pp
Croatian
+38
+0.1pp
Italian
-124
-0.6pp
Cantonese
+58
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-1
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Greystanes. 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 | 13,036 | 55.5% | 26.6% | 13,349 | 58.6% | 28.9% | -313 | -3.1pp |
| Arabic | 3,064 | 13.0% | 14.1% | 2,360 | 10.4% | 15.2% | +704 | +2.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,222 | 5.2% | 8.2% | 907 | 4.0% | 5.5% | +315 | +1.2pp |
| Maltese | 548 | 2.3% | 0.4% | 701 | 3.1% | 0.6% | -153 | -0.8pp |
| Greek | 490 | 2.1% | 0.7% | 509 | 2.2% | 0.8% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Turkish | 398 | 1.7% | 2.9% | 353 | 1.5% | 3.1% | +45 | +0.2pp |
| Croatian | 370 | 1.6% | 0.6% | 332 | 1.5% | 0.7% | +38 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 359 | 1.5% | 0.6% | 483 | 2.1% | 0.9% | -124 | -0.6pp |
| Cantonese | 340 | 1.4% | 4.0% | 282 | 1.2% | 4.5% | +58 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 337 | 1.4% | 6.7% | 338 | 1.5% | 6.3% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 23,492 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,793 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +699 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.