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 West, accounting for 23% (2,985 people). This share was lower than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, which increased by 476 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fairfield West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Fairfield West 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 West, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
English
2021 count
2,985
% of total
23.0%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
2,985
23.0%
-3.9pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
2,456
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
2,456
18.9%
-0.7pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
1,485
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
1,485
11.4%
+2.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,458
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
1,458
11.2%
+2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,009
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
1,009
7.8%
+3.8pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
814
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
814
6.3%
+1.6pp
Spanish
2021 count
392
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
392
3.0%
-1.2pp
Khmer
2021 count
352
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
352
2.7%
-0.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
223
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
223
1.7%
-0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
167
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
167
1.3%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-128
-3.9pp
Vietnamese
+186
-0.7pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+476
+2.7pp
Arabic
+389
+2.0pp
Not stated
+542
+3.8pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+266
+1.6pp
Spanish
-99
-1.2pp
Khmer
-43
-0.7pp
Cantonese
-37
-0.5pp
Mandarin
-26
-0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Fairfield West. 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 | |
| English | 2,985 | 23.0% | 23.4% | 3,113 | 26.9% | 24.8% | -128 | -3.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 2,456 | 18.9% | 21.1% | 2,270 | 19.6% | 20.4% | +186 | -0.7pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 1,485 | 11.4% | 7.8% | 1,009 | 8.7% | 6.7% | +476 | +2.7pp |
| Arabic | 1,458 | 11.2% | 9.3% | 1,069 | 9.2% | 7.9% | +389 | +2.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,009 | 7.8% | 6.9% | 467 | 4.0% | 4.4% | +542 | +3.8pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 814 | 6.3% | 4.0% | 548 | 4.7% | 3.3% | +266 | +1.6pp |
| Spanish | 392 | 3.0% | 2.3% | 491 | 4.2% | 3.1% | -99 | -1.2pp |
| Khmer | 352 | 2.7% | 3.3% | 395 | 3.4% | 3.6% | -43 | -0.7pp |
| Cantonese | 223 | 1.7% | 3.7% | 260 | 2.2% | 4.3% | -37 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 167 | 1.3% | 2.3% | 193 | 1.7% | 2.5% | -26 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 12,984 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,580 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,404 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.