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, Vietnamese was the most common language used at home among residents in Cabramatta West, accounting for 40.9% (3,196 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (21.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Vietnamese, which increased by 317 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cabramatta West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cabramatta West 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 Cabramatta West, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Vietnamese
2021 count
3,196
% of total
40.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
3,196
40.9%
+1.0pp
English
2021 count
1,491
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,491
19.1%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
551
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
551
7.1%
+2.6pp
Khmer
2021 count
455
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
455
5.8%
-0.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
364
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
364
4.7%
-0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
276
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
276
3.5%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
202
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
202
2.6%
-0.4pp
Min Nan
2021 count
152
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
152
1.9%
-0.2pp
Serbian
2021 count
145
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
145
1.9%
-0.3pp
Samoan
2021 count
139
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
139
1.8%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Vietnamese
+317
+1.0pp
English
+32
-1.1pp
Not stated
+224
+2.6pp
Khmer
-2
-0.5pp
Cantonese
-17
-0.6pp
Arabic
+45
+0.3pp
Mandarin
-12
-0.4pp
Min Nan
+1
-0.2pp
Serbian
-12
-0.3pp
Samoan
-36
-0.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cabramatta West. 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 | |
| Vietnamese | 3,196 | 40.9% | 21.1% | 2,879 | 39.9% | 20.4% | +317 | +1.0pp |
| English | 1,491 | 19.1% | 23.4% | 1,459 | 20.2% | 24.8% | +32 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 551 | 7.1% | 6.9% | 327 | 4.5% | 4.4% | +224 | +2.6pp |
| Khmer | 455 | 5.8% | 3.3% | 457 | 6.3% | 3.6% | -2 | -0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 364 | 4.7% | 3.7% | 381 | 5.3% | 4.3% | -17 | -0.6pp |
| Arabic | 276 | 3.5% | 9.3% | 231 | 3.2% | 7.9% | +45 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 202 | 2.6% | 2.3% | 214 | 3.0% | 2.5% | -12 | -0.4pp |
| Min Nan | 152 | 1.9% | 1.1% | 151 | 2.1% | 1.2% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Serbian | 145 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 157 | 2.2% | 1.9% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Samoan | 139 | 1.8% | 0.7% | 175 | 2.4% | 1.0% | -36 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 7,814 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,209 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +605 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.