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 Lidcombe (part), accounting for 19.2% (4,542 people). This share was lower than Cumberland (A) (26.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Korean, which increased by 4,103 people and 17.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lidcombe (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lidcombe (part) 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 Lidcombe (part), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
English
2021 count
4,542
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
-58.1pp
4,542
19.2%
-58.1pp
Korean
2021 count
4,121
% of total
17.4%
Change from 2016
+17.2pp
4,121
17.4%
+17.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
3,283
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+12.9pp
3,283
13.9%
+12.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
2,047
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+7.8pp
2,047
8.7%
+7.8pp
Nepali
2021 count
1,443
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
1,443
6.1%
+6.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,387
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,387
5.9%
-0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
841
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
841
3.6%
+3.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
817
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
817
3.5%
+2.8pp
Turkish
2021 count
607
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
607
2.6%
+2.3pp
Tamil
2021 count
602
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-
602
2.5%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,331
-58.1pp
Korean
+4,103
+17.2pp
Mandarin
+3,210
+12.9pp
Cantonese
+1,975
+7.8pp
Nepali
+1,440
+6.1pp
Not stated
+913
-0.3pp
Arabic
+809
+3.2pp
Vietnamese
+764
+2.8pp
Turkish
+588
+2.3pp
Tagalog
+348
+1.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lidcombe (part). 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 | 4,542 | 19.2% | 26.6% | 5,873 | 77.3% | 28.9% | -1,331 | -58.1pp |
| Korean | 4,121 | 17.4% | 2.2% | 18 | 0.2% | 2.4% | +4,103 | +17.2pp |
| Mandarin | 3,283 | 13.9% | 6.7% | 73 | 1.0% | 6.3% | +3,210 | +12.9pp |
| Cantonese | 2,047 | 8.7% | 4.0% | 72 | 0.9% | 4.5% | +1,975 | +7.8pp |
| Nepali | 1,443 | 6.1% | 4.4% | 3 | 0.0% | 2.5% | +1,440 | +6.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,387 | 5.9% | 8.2% | 474 | 6.2% | 5.5% | +913 | -0.3pp |
| Arabic | 841 | 3.6% | 14.1% | 32 | 0.4% | 15.2% | +809 | +3.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 817 | 3.5% | 1.6% | 53 | 0.7% | 1.7% | +764 | +2.8pp |
| Turkish | 607 | 2.6% | 2.9% | 19 | 0.3% | 3.1% | +588 | +2.3pp |
| Tamil | 602 | 2.5% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Total | 23,636 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,596 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +16,040 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.