Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Westmead (part), accounting for 21.6% (3,568 people). This share was lower than Cumberland (A) (26.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 270 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Westmead (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Westmead (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Westmead (part), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
English
Hindi
Tamil
Not stated
Telugu
Gujarati
Nepali
Mandarin
Punjabi
Malayalam
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+173
+0.8pp
Hindi
-29
-0.3pp
Tamil
-32
-0.3pp
Not stated
-170
-1.2pp
Telugu
+12
-0.1pp
Gujarati
-178
-1.2pp
Nepali
+270
+1.6pp
Mandarin
-113
-0.8pp
Punjabi
+48
+0.2pp
Malayalam
+55
+0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Westmead (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 | 3,568 | 21.6% | 26.6% | 3,395 | 20.8% | 28.9% | +173 | +0.8pp |
| Hindi | 1,620 | 9.8% | 2.3% | 1,649 | 10.1% | 2.3% | -29 | -0.3pp |
| Tamil | 1,393 | 8.4% | 3.3% | 1,425 | 8.7% | 3.1% | -32 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,179 | 7.1% | 8.2% | 1,349 | 8.3% | 5.5% | -170 | -1.2pp |
| Telugu | 1,114 | 6.7% | 1.4% | 1,102 | 6.8% | 0.8% | +12 | -0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 1,044 | 6.3% | 1.6% | 1,222 | 7.5% | 1.6% | -178 | -1.2pp |
| Nepali | 629 | 3.8% | 4.4% | 359 | 2.2% | 2.5% | +270 | +1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 620 | 3.7% | 6.7% | 733 | 4.5% | 6.3% | -113 | -0.8pp |
| Punjabi | 517 | 3.1% | 1.2% | 469 | 2.9% | 1.3% | +48 | +0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 502 | 3.0% | 0.6% | 447 | 2.7% | 0.4% | +55 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 16,552 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,286 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +266 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.