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 Fairfield East, accounting for 24.6% (1,281 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (21.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,046 people, while its share fell by 79.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fairfield East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Fairfield East 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 Fairfield East, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,281
% of total
24.6%
Change from 2016
-
1,281
24.6%
-
English
2021 count
1,065
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
-79.6pp
1,065
20.4%
-79.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
851
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
-
851
16.3%
-
Not stated
2021 count
464
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-
464
8.9%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
226
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-
226
4.3%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
137
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-
137
2.6%
-
Karen
2021 count
120
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
120
2.3%
-
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
111
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-
111
2.1%
-
Spanish
2021 count
96
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
96
1.8%
-
Khmer
2021 count
57
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
57
1.1%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,046
-79.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Fairfield East. 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 | 1,281 | 24.6% | 21.1% | - | - | 20.4% | - | - |
| English | 1,065 | 20.4% | 23.4% | 19 | 100.0% | 24.8% | +1,046 | -79.6pp |
| Arabic | 851 | 16.3% | 9.3% | - | - | 7.9% | - | - |
| Not stated | 464 | 8.9% | 6.9% | - | - | 4.4% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 226 | 4.3% | 3.7% | - | - | 4.3% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 137 | 2.6% | 2.3% | - | - | 2.5% | - | - |
| Karen | 120 | 2.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 111 | 2.1% | 7.8% | - | - | 6.7% | - | - |
| Spanish | 96 | 1.8% | 2.3% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Khmer | 57 | 1.1% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.6% | - | - |
| Total | 5,212 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,193 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.