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 Kogarah Bay, accounting for 51.4% (1,079 people). This share was higher than Georges River (A) (42.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 70 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kogarah Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Kogarah Bay 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 Kogarah Bay, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
English
2021 count
1,079
% of total
51.4%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
1,079
51.4%
+1.6pp
Greek
2021 count
270
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
270
12.9%
-1.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
133
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
133
6.3%
-0.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
102
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
102
4.9%
-0.4pp
Macedonian
2021 count
89
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
89
4.2%
+0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
75
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
75
3.6%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
70
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
70
3.3%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
59
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
59
2.8%
-1.6pp
Portuguese
2021 count
40
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
40
1.9%
+1.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
26
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
26
1.2%
+1.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+70
+1.6pp
Greek
-16
-1.2pp
Arabic
-8
-0.7pp
Cantonese
-5
-0.4pp
Macedonian
+20
+0.8pp
Mandarin
-3
-0.3pp
Italian
-11
-0.7pp
Not stated
-31
-1.6pp
Portuguese
+24
+1.1pp
Vietnamese
+22
+1.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Kogarah Bay. 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 | 1,079 | 51.4% | 42.1% | 1,009 | 49.8% | 42.3% | +70 | +1.6pp |
| Greek | 270 | 12.9% | 5.2% | 286 | 14.1% | 5.4% | -16 | -1.2pp |
| Arabic | 133 | 6.3% | 3.7% | 141 | 7.0% | 3.6% | -8 | -0.7pp |
| Cantonese | 102 | 4.9% | 9.4% | 107 | 5.3% | 9.9% | -5 | -0.4pp |
| Macedonian | 89 | 4.2% | 2.1% | 69 | 3.4% | 2.2% | +20 | +0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 75 | 3.6% | 12.8% | 78 | 3.9% | 14.3% | -3 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 70 | 3.3% | 1.1% | 81 | 4.0% | 1.3% | -11 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 59 | 2.8% | 4.7% | 90 | 4.4% | 4.1% | -31 | -1.6pp |
| Portuguese | 40 | 1.9% | 0.6% | 16 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +24 | +1.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 26 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +22 | +1.0pp |
| Total | 2,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,025 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +75 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.