Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken at home for Oatley in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Georges River (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Oatley, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
English
Mandarin
Cantonese
Greek
Not stated
Croatian
Macedonian
Arabic
Italian
Spanish
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 spoken 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.