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 Bossley Park, accounting for 29.9% (4,633 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,221 people, while its share fell by 60.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bossley Park - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bossley Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bossley Park, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
English
2021 count
4,633
% of total
29.9%
Change from 2016
-60.1pp
4,633
29.9%
-60.1pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
1,921
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
-
1,921
12.4%
-
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
1,658
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-
1,658
10.7%
-
Arabic
2021 count
1,625
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-
1,625
10.5%
-
Not stated
2021 count
1,031
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,031
6.7%
-2.7pp
Italian
2021 count
694
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
694
4.5%
+3.8pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
689
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-
689
4.4%
-
Spanish
2021 count
679
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-
679
4.4%
-
Croatian
2021 count
229
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
229
1.5%
-
Khmer
2021 count
197
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
197
1.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,221
-60.1pp
Not stated
+988
-2.7pp
Italian
+691
+3.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bossley Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,633 | 29.9% | 23.4% | 412 | 90.0% | 24.8% | +4,221 | -60.1pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 1,921 | 12.4% | 7.8% | - | - | 6.7% | - | - |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 1,658 | 10.7% | 4.0% | - | - | 3.3% | - | - |
| Arabic | 1,625 | 10.5% | 9.3% | - | - | 7.9% | - | - |
| Not stated | 1,031 | 6.7% | 6.9% | 43 | 9.4% | 4.4% | +988 | -2.7pp |
| Italian | 694 | 4.5% | 1.9% | 3 | 0.7% | 2.6% | +691 | +3.8pp |
| Vietnamese | 689 | 4.4% | 21.1% | - | - | 20.4% | - | - |
| Spanish | 679 | 4.4% | 2.3% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Croatian | 229 | 1.5% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Khmer | 197 | 1.3% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.6% | - | - |
| Total | 15,495 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 458 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +15,037 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.