Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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, Assyrian Neo-Aramaic was the most common language used at home among residents in Fairfield Heights, accounting for 19.9% (1,646 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (7.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, which increased by 369 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fairfield Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Fairfield Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield Heights, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
English
Arabic
Vietnamese
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
Not stated
Khmer
Cantonese
Spanish
Mandarin
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+369
+2.9pp
English
-48
-2.3pp
Arabic
+172
+0.8pp
Vietnamese
+23
-0.9pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+197
+1.6pp
Not stated
+293
+3.1pp
Khmer
-17
-0.5pp
Cantonese
-18
-0.5pp
Spanish
-57
-0.9pp
Mandarin
-24
-0.5pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Fairfield 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 | |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 1,646 | 19.9% | 7.8% | 1,277 | 17.0% | 6.7% | +369 | +2.9pp |
| English | 1,346 | 16.3% | 23.4% | 1,394 | 18.6% | 24.8% | -48 | -2.3pp |
| Arabic | 1,190 | 14.4% | 9.3% | 1,018 | 13.6% | 7.9% | +172 | +0.8pp |
| Vietnamese | 951 | 11.5% | 21.1% | 928 | 12.4% | 20.4% | +23 | -0.9pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 796 | 9.6% | 4.0% | 599 | 8.0% | 3.3% | +197 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 612 | 7.4% | 6.9% | 319 | 4.3% | 4.4% | +293 | +3.1pp |
| Khmer | 226 | 2.7% | 3.3% | 243 | 3.2% | 3.6% | -17 | -0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 177 | 2.1% | 3.7% | 195 | 2.6% | 4.3% | -18 | -0.5pp |
| Spanish | 145 | 1.8% | 2.3% | 202 | 2.7% | 3.1% | -57 | -0.9pp |
| Mandarin | 144 | 1.7% | 2.3% | 168 | 2.2% | 2.5% | -24 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 8,255 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,504 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +751 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.