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 Canley Heights, accounting for 42.1% (5,183 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (21.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Vietnamese, which increased by 885 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Canley Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Canley Heights 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 Canley Heights, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Vietnamese
2021 count
5,183
% of total
42.1%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
5,183
42.1%
+2.9pp
English
2021 count
2,201
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
2,201
17.9%
-2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
822
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
822
6.7%
+3.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
679
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
679
5.5%
-1.2pp
Khmer
2021 count
663
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
663
5.4%
-0.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
416
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
416
3.4%
+0.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
338
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
338
2.7%
+1.0pp
Min Nan
2021 count
331
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
331
2.7%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
304
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
304
2.5%
-0.6pp
Spanish
2021 count
141
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
141
1.1%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Vietnamese
+885
+2.9pp
English
0
-2.2pp
Not stated
+436
+3.2pp
Cantonese
-56
-1.2pp
Khmer
-27
-0.9pp
Arabic
+114
+0.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+149
+1.0pp
Min Nan
+10
-0.2pp
Mandarin
-33
-0.6pp
Spanish
-59
-0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Canley Heights. 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 | 5,183 | 42.1% | 21.1% | 4,298 | 39.2% | 20.4% | +885 | +2.9pp |
| English | 2,201 | 17.9% | 23.4% | 2,201 | 20.1% | 24.8% | 0 | -2.2pp |
| Not stated | 822 | 6.7% | 6.9% | 386 | 3.5% | 4.4% | +436 | +3.2pp |
| Cantonese | 679 | 5.5% | 3.7% | 735 | 6.7% | 4.3% | -56 | -1.2pp |
| Khmer | 663 | 5.4% | 3.3% | 690 | 6.3% | 3.6% | -27 | -0.9pp |
| Arabic | 416 | 3.4% | 9.3% | 302 | 2.8% | 7.9% | +114 | +0.6pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 338 | 2.7% | 7.8% | 189 | 1.7% | 6.7% | +149 | +1.0pp |
| Min Nan | 331 | 2.7% | 1.1% | 321 | 2.9% | 1.2% | +10 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 304 | 2.5% | 2.3% | 337 | 3.1% | 2.5% | -33 | -0.6pp |
| Spanish | 141 | 1.1% | 2.3% | 200 | 1.8% | 3.1% | -59 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 12,311 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,975 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,336 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.