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 Fairfield (C), accounting for 23.4% (48,753 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 3,721 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fairfield (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Fairfield (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
48,753
% of total
23.4%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
48,753
23.4%
-1.4pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
43,936
% of total
21.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
43,936
21.1%
+0.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
19,334
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
19,334
9.3%
+1.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
16,305
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
16,305
7.8%
+1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
14,421
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
14,421
6.9%
+2.5pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
8,437
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
8,437
4.0%
+0.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
7,668
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
7,668
3.7%
-0.6pp
Khmer
2021 count
6,891
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
6,891
3.3%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
4,832
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
4,832
2.3%
-0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
4,701
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
4,701
2.3%
-0.2pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-597
-1.4pp
Vietnamese
+3,445
+0.7pp
Arabic
+3,721
+1.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+2,939
+1.1pp
Not stated
+5,679
+2.5pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+1,808
+0.7pp
Cantonese
-930
-0.6pp
Khmer
-239
-0.3pp
Spanish
-1,386
-0.8pp
Mandarin
-363
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Fairfield (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| English | 48,753 | 23.4% | 57.3% | 49,350 | 24.8% | 58.4% | -597 | -1.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 43,936 | 21.1% | 2.2% | 40,491 | 20.4% | 2.1% | +3,445 | +0.7pp |
| Arabic | 19,334 | 9.3% | 4.2% | 15,613 | 7.9% | 4.0% | +3,721 | +1.4pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 16,305 | 7.8% | 0.5% | 13,366 | 6.7% | 0.4% | +2,939 | +1.1pp |
| Not stated | 14,421 | 6.9% | 5.3% | 8,742 | 4.4% | 5.8% | +5,679 | +2.5pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 8,437 | 4.0% | 0.2% | 6,629 | 3.3% | 0.2% | +1,808 | +0.7pp |
| Cantonese | 7,668 | 3.7% | 2.8% | 8,598 | 4.3% | 2.9% | -930 | -0.6pp |
| Khmer | 6,891 | 3.3% | 0.2% | 7,130 | 3.6% | 0.2% | -239 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 4,832 | 2.3% | 1.2% | 6,218 | 3.1% | 1.2% | -1,386 | -0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 4,701 | 2.3% | 5.0% | 5,064 | 2.5% | 4.7% | -363 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 208,451 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 198,752 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,699 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.