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, Arabic was the most common language used at home among residents in Fairfield (NSW) (part), accounting for 16.7% (3,109 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (9.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 529 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fairfield (NSW) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Fairfield (NSW) (part) 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 (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Arabic
2021 count
3,109
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
3,109
16.7%
+2.4pp
English
2021 count
2,978
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
2,978
16.0%
-1.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
2,829
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
2,829
15.2%
+0.8pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
2,237
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
2,237
12.0%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,565
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
1,565
8.4%
+3.8pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
1,094
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,094
5.9%
-0.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
553
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
553
3.0%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
515
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
515
2.8%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
427
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
427
2.3%
-1.1pp
Khmer
2021 count
392
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
392
2.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Arabic
+529
+2.4pp
English
-173
-1.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+225
+0.8pp
Vietnamese
+242
+1.0pp
Not stated
+731
+3.8pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
-133
-0.9pp
Mandarin
-11
-0.1pp
Cantonese
-53
-0.3pp
Spanish
-194
-1.1pp
Khmer
-9
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Fairfield (NSW) (part). 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 | |
| Arabic | 3,109 | 16.7% | 9.3% | 2,580 | 14.3% | 7.9% | +529 | +2.4pp |
| English | 2,978 | 16.0% | 23.4% | 3,151 | 17.4% | 24.8% | -173 | -1.4pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 2,829 | 15.2% | 7.8% | 2,604 | 14.4% | 6.7% | +225 | +0.8pp |
| Vietnamese | 2,237 | 12.0% | 21.1% | 1,995 | 11.0% | 20.4% | +242 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,565 | 8.4% | 6.9% | 834 | 4.6% | 4.4% | +731 | +3.8pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 1,094 | 5.9% | 4.0% | 1,227 | 6.8% | 3.3% | -133 | -0.9pp |
| Mandarin | 553 | 3.0% | 2.3% | 564 | 3.1% | 2.5% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 515 | 2.8% | 3.7% | 568 | 3.1% | 4.3% | -53 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 427 | 2.3% | 2.3% | 621 | 3.4% | 3.1% | -194 | -1.1pp |
| Khmer | 392 | 2.1% | 3.3% | 401 | 2.2% | 3.6% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 18,607 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,078 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +529 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.