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 South Hurstville, accounting for 36.5% (1,898 people). This share was lower than Georges River (A) (42.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,876 people, while its share fell by 63.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Hurstville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South Hurstville 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 South Hurstville, with comparison markers for Georges River (A).
English
2021 count
1,898
% of total
36.5%
Change from 2016
-63.5pp
1,898
36.5%
-63.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
883
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
-
883
17.0%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
724
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-
724
13.9%
-
Arabic
2021 count
313
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-
313
6.0%
-
Greek
2021 count
270
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-
270
5.2%
-
Not stated
2021 count
229
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-
229
4.4%
-
Macedonian
2021 count
118
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
118
2.3%
-
Nepali
2021 count
78
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
78
1.5%
-
Croatian
2021 count
73
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
73
1.4%
-
Italian
2021 count
51
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
51
1.0%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,876
-63.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for South Hurstville. 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 | 1,898 | 36.5% | 42.1% | 22 | 100.0% | 42.3% | +1,876 | -63.5pp |
| Mandarin | 883 | 17.0% | 12.8% | - | - | 14.3% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 724 | 13.9% | 9.4% | - | - | 9.9% | - | - |
| Arabic | 313 | 6.0% | 3.7% | - | - | 3.6% | - | - |
| Greek | 270 | 5.2% | 5.2% | - | - | 5.4% | - | - |
| Not stated | 229 | 4.4% | 4.7% | - | - | 4.1% | - | - |
| Macedonian | 118 | 2.3% | 2.1% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Nepali | 78 | 1.5% | 5.7% | - | - | 3.4% | - | - |
| Croatian | 73 | 1.4% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Italian | 51 | 1.0% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Total | 5,200 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,178 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.