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 Merrylands West, accounting for 36.8% (2,602 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (26.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,400 people, while its share fell by 51.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Merrylands West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Merrylands West 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 Merrylands West, with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
English
2021 count
2,602
% of total
36.8%
Change from 2016
-51.4pp
2,602
36.8%
-51.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,285
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
-
1,285
18.2%
-
Not stated
2021 count
656
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
656
9.3%
-2.5pp
Dari
2021 count
270
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-
270
3.8%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
219
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-
219
3.1%
-
Turkish
2021 count
164
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
164
2.3%
-
Hazaraghi
2021 count
161
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
161
2.3%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
143
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-
143
2.0%
-
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
137
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-
137
1.9%
-
Urdu
2021 count
126
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
126
1.8%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,400
-51.4pp
Not stated
+629
-2.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Merrylands West. 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 | 2,602 | 36.8% | 26.6% | 202 | 88.2% | 28.9% | +2,400 | -51.4pp |
| Arabic | 1,285 | 18.2% | 14.1% | - | - | 15.2% | - | - |
| Not stated | 656 | 9.3% | 8.2% | 27 | 11.8% | 5.5% | +629 | -2.5pp |
| Dari | 270 | 3.8% | 1.5% | - | - | 1.7% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 219 | 3.1% | 6.7% | - | - | 6.3% | - | - |
| Turkish | 164 | 2.3% | 2.9% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Hazaraghi | 161 | 2.3% | 1.7% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 143 | 2.0% | 4.0% | - | - | 4.5% | - | - |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 137 | 1.9% | 0.9% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Urdu | 126 | 1.8% | 2.6% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Total | 7,070 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 229 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,841 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.