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, Arabic was the most common language used at home among residents in Guildford (NSW), accounting for 30.2% (7,278 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (14.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hazaraghi, which increased by 319 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Guildford (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Guildford (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 Guildford (NSW), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Arabic
2021 count
7,278
% of total
30.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
7,278
30.2%
-2.2pp
English
2021 count
6,139
% of total
25.5%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
6,139
25.5%
-1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,443
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
2,443
10.1%
+2.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
774
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
774
3.2%
-0.2pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
765
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
765
3.2%
+1.2pp
Urdu
2021 count
631
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
631
2.6%
+1.0pp
Dari
2021 count
618
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
618
2.6%
+0.7pp
Turkish
2021 count
562
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
562
2.3%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
497
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
497
2.1%
-0.4pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
427
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
427
1.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Arabic
+45
-2.2pp
English
+142
-1.4pp
Not stated
+840
+2.9pp
Mandarin
+7
-0.2pp
Hazaraghi
+319
+1.2pp
Urdu
+280
+1.0pp
Dari
+189
+0.7pp
Turkish
+32
-0.1pp
Cantonese
-58
-0.4pp
Vietnamese
-12
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Guildford (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 | |
| Arabic | 7,278 | 30.2% | 14.1% | 7,233 | 32.4% | 15.2% | +45 | -2.2pp |
| English | 6,139 | 25.5% | 26.6% | 5,997 | 26.9% | 28.9% | +142 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 2,443 | 10.1% | 8.2% | 1,603 | 7.2% | 5.5% | +840 | +2.9pp |
| Mandarin | 774 | 3.2% | 6.7% | 767 | 3.4% | 6.3% | +7 | -0.2pp |
| Hazaraghi | 765 | 3.2% | 1.7% | 446 | 2.0% | 1.6% | +319 | +1.2pp |
| Urdu | 631 | 2.6% | 2.6% | 351 | 1.6% | 2.2% | +280 | +1.0pp |
| Dari | 618 | 2.6% | 1.5% | 429 | 1.9% | 1.7% | +189 | +0.7pp |
| Turkish | 562 | 2.3% | 2.9% | 530 | 2.4% | 3.1% | +32 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 497 | 2.1% | 4.0% | 555 | 2.5% | 4.5% | -58 | -0.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 427 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 439 | 2.0% | 1.7% | -12 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 24,096 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,292 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,804 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.