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 Georges River (A), accounting for 42.1% (64,097 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 3,723 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Georges River (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Georges River (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Georges River (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
64,097
% of total
42.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
64,097
42.1%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
19,507
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
19,507
12.8%
-1.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
14,301
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
14,301
9.4%
-0.5pp
Nepali
2021 count
8,721
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
8,721
5.7%
+2.3pp
Greek
2021 count
7,892
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
7,892
5.2%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,155
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
7,155
4.7%
+0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
5,612
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,612
3.7%
+0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
3,205
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,205
2.1%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
1,805
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,805
1.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
1,628
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,628
1.1%
-0.2pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,938
-0.2pp
Mandarin
-1,561
-1.5pp
Cantonese
-238
-0.5pp
Nepali
+3,723
+2.3pp
Greek
+21
-0.2pp
Not stated
+1,097
+0.6pp
Arabic
+364
+0.1pp
Macedonian
-9
-0.1pp
Spanish
+178
+0.1pp
Italian
-323
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Georges River (A). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| English | 64,097 | 42.1% | 57.3% | 62,159 | 42.3% | 58.4% | +1,938 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 19,507 | 12.8% | 5.0% | 21,068 | 14.3% | 4.7% | -1,561 | -1.5pp |
| Cantonese | 14,301 | 9.4% | 2.8% | 14,539 | 9.9% | 2.9% | -238 | -0.5pp |
| Nepali | 8,721 | 5.7% | 1.2% | 4,998 | 3.4% | 0.7% | +3,723 | +2.3pp |
| Greek | 7,892 | 5.2% | 1.4% | 7,871 | 5.4% | 1.6% | +21 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 7,155 | 4.7% | 5.3% | 6,058 | 4.1% | 5.8% | +1,097 | +0.6pp |
| Arabic | 5,612 | 3.7% | 4.2% | 5,248 | 3.6% | 4.0% | +364 | +0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 3,205 | 2.1% | 0.4% | 3,214 | 2.2% | 0.4% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 1,805 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1,627 | 1.1% | 1.2% | +178 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 1,628 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 1,951 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -323 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 152,228 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 146,830 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,398 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.