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 Vale, accounting for 38.4% (3,946 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (21.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Vietnamese, which increased by 319 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Canley Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Canley Vale 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 Vale, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Vietnamese
2021 count
3,946
% of total
38.4%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
3,946
38.4%
+2.9pp
English
2021 count
1,647
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,647
16.0%
-0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
924
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
924
9.0%
-1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
675
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
675
6.6%
+1.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
482
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
482
4.7%
-0.1pp
Khmer
2021 count
476
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
476
4.6%
-0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
391
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
391
3.8%
+0.2pp
Min Nan
2021 count
265
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
265
2.6%
-0.3pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
202
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
202
2.0%
+0.7pp
Spanish
2021 count
151
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
151
1.5%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Vietnamese
+319
+2.9pp
English
-22
-0.3pp
Cantonese
-92
-1.0pp
Not stated
+178
+1.7pp
Mandarin
-7
-0.1pp
Khmer
-25
-0.3pp
Arabic
+27
+0.2pp
Min Nan
-30
-0.3pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+66
+0.7pp
Spanish
-56
-0.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Canley Vale. 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 | 3,946 | 38.4% | 21.1% | 3,627 | 35.5% | 20.4% | +319 | +2.9pp |
| English | 1,647 | 16.0% | 23.4% | 1,669 | 16.3% | 24.8% | -22 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 924 | 9.0% | 3.7% | 1,016 | 10.0% | 4.3% | -92 | -1.0pp |
| Not stated | 675 | 6.6% | 6.9% | 497 | 4.9% | 4.4% | +178 | +1.7pp |
| Mandarin | 482 | 4.7% | 2.3% | 489 | 4.8% | 2.5% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Khmer | 476 | 4.6% | 3.3% | 501 | 4.9% | 3.6% | -25 | -0.3pp |
| Arabic | 391 | 3.8% | 9.3% | 364 | 3.6% | 7.9% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Min Nan | 265 | 2.6% | 1.1% | 295 | 2.9% | 1.2% | -30 | -0.3pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 202 | 2.0% | 7.8% | 136 | 1.3% | 6.7% | +66 | +0.7pp |
| Spanish | 151 | 1.5% | 2.3% | 207 | 2.0% | 3.1% | -56 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 10,289 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,210 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +79 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.