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 Lugarno, accounting for 71.5% (4,179 people). This share was higher than Georges River (A) (42.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 141 people, while its share fell by 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lugarno - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lugarno 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 Lugarno, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
English
2021 count
4,179
% of total
71.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
4,179
71.5%
-0.7pp
Greek
2021 count
374
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
374
6.4%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
220
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
220
3.8%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
214
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
214
3.7%
+0.7pp
Macedonian
2021 count
132
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
132
2.3%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
130
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
130
2.2%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
122
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
122
2.1%
-0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
75
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
75
1.3%
-0.5pp
Croatian
2021 count
67
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
67
1.1%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
46
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
46
0.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+141
-0.7pp
Greek
+9
-0.1pp
Arabic
+29
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+48
+0.7pp
Macedonian
+8
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+11
+0.1pp
Not stated
-25
-0.5pp
Italian
-25
-0.5pp
Croatian
-5
-0.2pp
Spanish
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lugarno. 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 | 4,179 | 71.5% | 42.1% | 4,038 | 72.2% | 42.3% | +141 | -0.7pp |
| Greek | 374 | 6.4% | 5.2% | 365 | 6.5% | 5.4% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 220 | 3.8% | 3.7% | 191 | 3.4% | 3.6% | +29 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 214 | 3.7% | 12.8% | 166 | 3.0% | 14.3% | +48 | +0.7pp |
| Macedonian | 132 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 124 | 2.2% | 2.2% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 130 | 2.2% | 9.4% | 119 | 2.1% | 9.9% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 122 | 2.1% | 4.7% | 147 | 2.6% | 4.1% | -25 | -0.5pp |
| Italian | 75 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 100 | 1.8% | 1.3% | -25 | -0.5pp |
| Croatian | 67 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 72 | 1.3% | 0.9% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 46 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 39 | 0.7% | 1.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 5,844 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,589 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +255 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.