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 Oatley, accounting for 70.2% (7,471 people). This share was higher than Georges River (A) (42.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Cantonese, which increased by 129 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Oatley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Oatley 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 Oatley, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
English
2021 count
7,471
% of total
70.2%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
7,471
70.2%
-1.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
793
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
793
7.5%
+0.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
482
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
482
4.5%
+1.1pp
Greek
2021 count
309
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
309
2.9%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
283
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
283
2.7%
-0.5pp
Croatian
2021 count
178
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
178
1.7%
+0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
174
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
174
1.6%
+0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
151
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
151
1.4%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
94
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
94
0.9%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
71
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
71
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-52
-1.4pp
Mandarin
+75
+0.7pp
Cantonese
+129
+1.1pp
Greek
-10
-0.1pp
Not stated
-54
-0.5pp
Croatian
+7
+0.1pp
Macedonian
+34
+0.3pp
Arabic
+24
+0.2pp
Italian
-19
-0.2pp
Spanish
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Oatley. 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 | 7,471 | 70.2% | 42.1% | 7,523 | 71.6% | 42.3% | -52 | -1.4pp |
| Mandarin | 793 | 7.5% | 12.8% | 718 | 6.8% | 14.3% | +75 | +0.7pp |
| Cantonese | 482 | 4.5% | 9.4% | 353 | 3.4% | 9.9% | +129 | +1.1pp |
| Greek | 309 | 2.9% | 5.2% | 319 | 3.0% | 5.4% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 283 | 2.7% | 4.7% | 337 | 3.2% | 4.1% | -54 | -0.5pp |
| Croatian | 178 | 1.7% | 0.8% | 171 | 1.6% | 0.9% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 174 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 140 | 1.3% | 2.2% | +34 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 151 | 1.4% | 3.7% | 127 | 1.2% | 3.6% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 94 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 113 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -19 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 71 | 0.7% | 1.2% | 65 | 0.6% | 1.1% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 10,642 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,502 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +140 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.