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 Hawkesbury (C), accounting for 88.4% (59,393 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,380 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hawkesbury (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Hawkesbury (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hawkesbury (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
59,393
% of total
88.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
59,393
88.4%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,047
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
3,047
4.5%
-1.3pp
Maltese
2021 count
572
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
572
0.9%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
339
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
339
0.5%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
285
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
285
0.4%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
259
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
259
0.4%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
235
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
235
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
217
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
217
0.3%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
213
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
213
0.3%
0.0pp
Macedonian
2021 count
169
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
169
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,380
+0.1pp
Not stated
-680
-1.3pp
Maltese
-24
0.0pp
Punjabi
+300
+0.4pp
Italian
-5
0.0pp
Arabic
+62
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+12
0.0pp
Mandarin
+34
0.0pp
Spanish
+31
0.0pp
Macedonian
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Hawkesbury (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| English | 59,393 | 88.4% | 57.3% | 57,013 | 88.3% | 58.4% | +2,380 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 3,047 | 4.5% | 5.3% | 3,727 | 5.8% | 5.8% | -680 | -1.3pp |
| Maltese | 572 | 0.9% | 0.2% | 596 | 0.9% | 0.2% | -24 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 339 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 39 | 0.1% | 0.6% | +300 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 285 | 0.4% | 1.0% | 290 | 0.4% | 1.3% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 259 | 0.4% | 4.2% | 197 | 0.3% | 4.0% | +62 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 235 | 0.3% | 2.8% | 223 | 0.3% | 2.9% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 217 | 0.3% | 5.0% | 183 | 0.3% | 4.7% | +34 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 213 | 0.3% | 1.2% | 182 | 0.3% | 1.2% | +31 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian | 169 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 172 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 67,185 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 64,587 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,598 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.