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 Wetherill Park, accounting for 32.9% (2,101 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 308 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wetherill Park - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wetherill 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 Wetherill Park, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
English
2021 count
2,101
% of total
32.9%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
2,101
32.9%
-2.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
794
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
794
12.4%
+4.5pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
611
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
611
9.6%
+0.9pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
402
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
402
6.3%
+2.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
318
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
318
5.0%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
266
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
266
4.2%
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
249
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
249
3.9%
-0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
235
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
235
3.7%
-1.5pp
Croatian
2021 count
153
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
153
2.4%
-0.6pp
Macedonian
2021 count
133
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
133
2.1%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-76
-2.7pp
Arabic
+308
+4.5pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+81
+0.9pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+137
+2.0pp
Spanish
-86
-1.6pp
Not stated
+29
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
-12
-0.4pp
Italian
-81
-1.5pp
Croatian
-28
-0.6pp
Macedonian
+22
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wetherill Park. 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 | 2,101 | 32.9% | 23.4% | 2,177 | 35.6% | 24.8% | -76 | -2.7pp |
| Arabic | 794 | 12.4% | 9.3% | 486 | 7.9% | 7.9% | +308 | +4.5pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 611 | 9.6% | 7.8% | 530 | 8.7% | 6.7% | +81 | +0.9pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 402 | 6.3% | 4.0% | 265 | 4.3% | 3.3% | +137 | +2.0pp |
| Spanish | 318 | 5.0% | 2.3% | 404 | 6.6% | 3.1% | -86 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 266 | 4.2% | 6.9% | 237 | 3.9% | 4.4% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 249 | 3.9% | 21.1% | 261 | 4.3% | 20.4% | -12 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 235 | 3.7% | 1.9% | 316 | 5.2% | 2.6% | -81 | -1.5pp |
| Croatian | 153 | 2.4% | 1.1% | 181 | 3.0% | 1.3% | -28 | -0.6pp |
| Macedonian | 133 | 2.1% | 0.5% | 111 | 1.8% | 0.6% | +22 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 6,385 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,117 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +268 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.