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, Mandarin was the most common language used at home among residents in Hurstville, accounting for 26.1% (8,123 people). This share was higher than Georges River (A) (12.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 2,657 people and 8.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hurstville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Hurstville 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 Hurstville, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
Mandarin
2021 count
8,123
% of total
26.1%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
8,123
26.1%
-6.2pp
English
2021 count
5,730
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
5,730
18.4%
+0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
5,040
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
5,040
16.2%
-1.7pp
Nepali
2021 count
4,793
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
+8.2pp
4,793
15.4%
+8.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,628
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
1,628
5.2%
+1.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
802
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
802
2.6%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
651
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
651
2.1%
-0.5pp
Indonesian
2021 count
507
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
507
1.6%
-0.2pp
Macedonian
2021 count
492
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
492
1.6%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
276
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
276
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Mandarin
-1,510
-6.2pp
English
+346
+0.3pp
Cantonese
-282
-1.7pp
Nepali
+2,657
+8.2pp
Not stated
+445
+1.2pp
Arabic
-20
-0.2pp
Greek
-109
-0.5pp
Indonesian
-29
-0.2pp
Macedonian
-56
-0.2pp
Tagalog
+28
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Hurstville. 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 | |
| Mandarin | 8,123 | 26.1% | 12.8% | 9,633 | 32.3% | 14.3% | -1,510 | -6.2pp |
| English | 5,730 | 18.4% | 42.1% | 5,384 | 18.1% | 42.3% | +346 | +0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 5,040 | 16.2% | 9.4% | 5,322 | 17.9% | 9.9% | -282 | -1.7pp |
| Nepali | 4,793 | 15.4% | 5.7% | 2,136 | 7.2% | 3.4% | +2,657 | +8.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,628 | 5.2% | 4.7% | 1,183 | 4.0% | 4.1% | +445 | +1.2pp |
| Arabic | 802 | 2.6% | 3.7% | 822 | 2.8% | 3.6% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 651 | 2.1% | 5.2% | 760 | 2.6% | 5.4% | -109 | -0.5pp |
| Indonesian | 507 | 1.6% | 1.0% | 536 | 1.8% | 1.1% | -29 | -0.2pp |
| Macedonian | 492 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 548 | 1.8% | 2.2% | -56 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 276 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 248 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 31,125 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,791 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,334 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.