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 Allawah, accounting for 27.6% (1,478 people). This share was lower than Georges River (A) (42.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which decreased by 335 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Allawah - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Allawah in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Georges River (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Allawah, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
English
2021 count
1,478
% of total
27.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,478
27.6%
+0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
736
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
736
13.8%
-5.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
649
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
649
12.1%
+5.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
577
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
577
10.8%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
239
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
239
4.5%
+0.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
179
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
179
3.3%
-0.5pp
Macedonian
2021 count
172
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
172
3.2%
+0.7pp
Greek
2021 count
138
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
138
2.6%
+0.2pp
Bengali
2021 count
117
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
117
2.2%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
109
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
109
2.0%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-66
+0.5pp
Mandarin
-335
-5.0pp
Nepali
+243
+5.0pp
Cantonese
-85
-0.8pp
Not stated
+12
+0.5pp
Arabic
-35
-0.5pp
Macedonian
+27
+0.7pp
Greek
+4
+0.2pp
Bengali
-20
-0.2pp
Tagalog
+18
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Allawah. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Georges River (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Georges River (A)% | Count | % | Georges River (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,478 | 27.6% | 42.1% | 1,544 | 27.1% | 42.3% | -66 | +0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 736 | 13.8% | 12.8% | 1,071 | 18.8% | 14.3% | -335 | -5.0pp |
| Nepali | 649 | 12.1% | 5.7% | 406 | 7.1% | 3.4% | +243 | +5.0pp |
| Cantonese | 577 | 10.8% | 9.4% | 662 | 11.6% | 9.9% | -85 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 239 | 4.5% | 4.7% | 227 | 4.0% | 4.1% | +12 | +0.5pp |
| Arabic | 179 | 3.3% | 3.7% | 214 | 3.8% | 3.6% | -35 | -0.5pp |
| Macedonian | 172 | 3.2% | 2.1% | 145 | 2.5% | 2.2% | +27 | +0.7pp |
| Greek | 138 | 2.6% | 5.2% | 134 | 2.4% | 5.4% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Bengali | 117 | 2.2% | 0.6% | 137 | 2.4% | 0.7% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 109 | 2.0% | 0.9% | 91 | 1.6% | 0.8% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 5,350 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,698 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -348 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.