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 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 spoken at home for Hawkesbury (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hawkesbury (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
Not stated
Maltese
Punjabi
Italian
Arabic
Cantonese
Mandarin
Spanish
Macedonian
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 spoken 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.