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 Horsley Park, accounting for 55.2% (978 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 45 people and 2.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Horsley Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Horsley Park 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 Horsley Park, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).

Horsley Park
Fairfield (C)

English

2021 count

978

% of total

55.2%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Italian

2021 count

187

% of total

10.6%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Maltese

2021 count

124

% of total

7.0%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Not stated

2021 count

119

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Arabic

2021 count

79

% of total

4.5%

Change from 2016

+2.6pp

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

2021 count

77

% of total

4.3%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Serbian

2021 count

27

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Croatian

2021 count

19

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Khmer

2021 count

18

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Chaldean Neo-Aramaic

2021 count

15

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Data table

Language used at home for Horsley Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).

Language used at home for Horsley Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Language used at home for Horsley Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Fairfield (C)%Count%Fairfield (C)%Countpp
English97855.2%23.4%96752.9%24.8%+11+2.3pp
Italian18710.6%1.9%22712.4%2.6%-40-1.8pp
Maltese1247.0%0.4%1608.8%0.5%-36-1.8pp
Not stated1196.7%6.9%1327.2%4.4%-13-0.5pp
Arabic794.5%9.3%341.9%7.9%+45+2.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic774.3%7.8%723.9%6.7%+5+0.4pp
Serbian271.5%1.6%70.4%1.9%+20+1.1pp
Croatian191.1%1.1%351.9%1.3%-16-0.8pp
Khmer181.0%3.3%351.9%3.6%-17-0.9pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic150.8%4.0%221.2%3.3%-7-0.4pp
Total1,771100.0%100.0%1,828100.0%100.0%-570.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.