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 Penshurst (NSW), accounting for 42.5% (5,355 people). This share was higher than Georges River (A) (42.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 251 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Penshurst (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Penshurst (NSW) 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 Penshurst (NSW), with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
English
2021 count
5,355
% of total
42.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
5,355
42.5%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,487
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,487
11.8%
-0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
1,126
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
1,126
8.9%
+2.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,088
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,088
8.6%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
702
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
702
5.6%
+1.1pp
Greek
2021 count
442
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
442
3.5%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
342
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
342
2.7%
-0.2pp
Macedonian
2021 count
198
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
198
1.6%
-0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
187
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
187
1.5%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
151
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
151
1.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-79
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-53
-0.2pp
Nepali
+251
+2.1pp
Cantonese
-115
-0.8pp
Not stated
+118
+1.1pp
Greek
-19
-0.1pp
Arabic
-36
-0.2pp
Macedonian
-49
-0.3pp
Tagalog
+9
+0.1pp
Spanish
-22
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Penshurst (NSW). 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 | 5,355 | 42.5% | 42.1% | 5,434 | 42.3% | 42.3% | -79 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 1,487 | 11.8% | 12.8% | 1,540 | 12.0% | 14.3% | -53 | -0.2pp |
| Nepali | 1,126 | 8.9% | 5.7% | 875 | 6.8% | 3.4% | +251 | +2.1pp |
| Cantonese | 1,088 | 8.6% | 9.4% | 1,203 | 9.4% | 9.9% | -115 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 702 | 5.6% | 4.7% | 584 | 4.5% | 4.1% | +118 | +1.1pp |
| Greek | 442 | 3.5% | 5.2% | 461 | 3.6% | 5.4% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 342 | 2.7% | 3.7% | 378 | 2.9% | 3.6% | -36 | -0.2pp |
| Macedonian | 198 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 247 | 1.9% | 2.2% | -49 | -0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 187 | 1.5% | 0.9% | 178 | 1.4% | 0.8% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 151 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 173 | 1.3% | 1.1% | -22 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 12,592 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,846 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -254 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.