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 Smithfield (NSW) (part), accounting for 31.2% (4,100 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 573 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Smithfield (NSW) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Smithfield (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 Smithfield (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
English
2021 count
4,100
% of total
31.2%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
4,100
31.2%
-4.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
2,017
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
2,017
15.3%
+3.2pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
1,387
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
1,387
10.5%
+2.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,258
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,258
9.6%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
905
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
905
6.9%
+1.7pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
751
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
751
5.7%
+0.6pp
Spanish
2021 count
426
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
426
3.2%
-1.3pp
Italian
2021 count
387
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
387
2.9%
-1.6pp
Khmer
2021 count
187
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
187
1.4%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
149
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
149
1.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-114
-4.0pp
Arabic
+573
+3.2pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+409
+2.3pp
Vietnamese
+196
+0.7pp
Not stated
+289
+1.7pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+140
+0.6pp
Spanish
-111
-1.3pp
Italian
-147
-1.6pp
Khmer
-10
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+5
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Smithfield (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 | |
| English | 4,100 | 31.2% | 23.4% | 4,214 | 35.2% | 24.8% | -114 | -4.0pp |
| Arabic | 2,017 | 15.3% | 9.3% | 1,444 | 12.1% | 7.9% | +573 | +3.2pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 1,387 | 10.5% | 7.8% | 978 | 8.2% | 6.7% | +409 | +2.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,258 | 9.6% | 21.1% | 1,062 | 8.9% | 20.4% | +196 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 905 | 6.9% | 6.9% | 616 | 5.2% | 4.4% | +289 | +1.7pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 751 | 5.7% | 4.0% | 611 | 5.1% | 3.3% | +140 | +0.6pp |
| Spanish | 426 | 3.2% | 2.3% | 537 | 4.5% | 3.1% | -111 | -1.3pp |
| Italian | 387 | 2.9% | 1.9% | 534 | 4.5% | 2.6% | -147 | -1.6pp |
| Khmer | 187 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 197 | 1.6% | 3.6% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 149 | 1.1% | 2.3% | 144 | 1.2% | 2.5% | +5 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 13,149 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,960 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,189 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.