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 Mortdale, accounting for 55.2% (5,925 people). This share was higher than Georges River (A) (42.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,541 people and 31.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mortdale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mortdale 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 Mortdale, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
English
2021 count
5,925
% of total
55.2%
Change from 2016
-31.9pp
5,925
55.2%
-31.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
938
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+7.4pp
938
8.7%
+7.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
640
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
640
6.0%
+5.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
487
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
487
4.5%
+3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
448
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
448
4.2%
-1.3pp
Macedonian
2021 count
402
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
402
3.7%
+3.6pp
Greek
2021 count
317
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
317
3.0%
+2.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
193
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
193
1.8%
+1.7pp
Spanish
2021 count
159
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
159
1.5%
+1.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
113
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
113
1.1%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,541
-31.9pp
Mandarin
+824
+7.4pp
Cantonese
+574
+5.2pp
Nepali
+429
+3.8pp
Not stated
-26
-1.3pp
Macedonian
+397
+3.6pp
Greek
+294
+2.7pp
Arabic
+181
+1.7pp
Spanish
+140
+1.3pp
Tagalog
+96
+0.9pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mortdale. 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 | 5,925 | 55.2% | 42.1% | 7,466 | 87.1% | 42.3% | -1,541 | -31.9pp |
| Mandarin | 938 | 8.7% | 12.8% | 114 | 1.3% | 14.3% | +824 | +7.4pp |
| Cantonese | 640 | 6.0% | 9.4% | 66 | 0.8% | 9.9% | +574 | +5.2pp |
| Nepali | 487 | 4.5% | 5.7% | 58 | 0.7% | 3.4% | +429 | +3.8pp |
| Not stated | 448 | 4.2% | 4.7% | 474 | 5.5% | 4.1% | -26 | -1.3pp |
| Macedonian | 402 | 3.7% | 2.1% | 5 | 0.1% | 2.2% | +397 | +3.6pp |
| Greek | 317 | 3.0% | 5.2% | 23 | 0.3% | 5.4% | +294 | +2.7pp |
| Arabic | 193 | 1.8% | 3.7% | 12 | 0.1% | 3.6% | +181 | +1.7pp |
| Spanish | 159 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 19 | 0.2% | 1.1% | +140 | +1.3pp |
| Tagalog | 113 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 17 | 0.2% | 0.8% | +96 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 10,726 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,575 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,151 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.