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 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 Cantonese, which increased by 47 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Hurstville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken 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
Mandarin
Cantonese
Arabic
Greek
Not stated
Macedonian
Nepali
Croatian
Italian
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-29
-1.1pp
Mandarin
+15
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+47
+0.7pp
Arabic
+9
+0.1pp
Greek
-22
-0.5pp
Not stated
-32
-0.7pp
Macedonian
-11
-0.2pp
Nepali
+31
+0.6pp
Croatian
+7
+0.1pp
Italian
-35
-0.7pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 1,927 | 37.6% | 42.3% | -29 | -1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 883 | 17.0% | 12.8% | 868 | 16.9% | 14.3% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 724 | 13.9% | 9.4% | 677 | 13.2% | 9.9% | +47 | +0.7pp |
| Arabic | 313 | 6.0% | 3.7% | 304 | 5.9% | 3.6% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 270 | 5.2% | 5.2% | 292 | 5.7% | 5.4% | -22 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 229 | 4.4% | 4.7% | 261 | 5.1% | 4.1% | -32 | -0.7pp |
| Macedonian | 118 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 129 | 2.5% | 2.2% | -11 | -0.2pp |
| Nepali | 78 | 1.5% | 5.7% | 47 | 0.9% | 3.4% | +31 | +0.6pp |
| Croatian | 73 | 1.4% | 0.8% | 66 | 1.3% | 0.9% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 51 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 86 | 1.7% | 1.3% | -35 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 5,200 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,124 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +76 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.