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 Hilltops (A), accounting for 87.6% (16,836 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 212 people, while its share fell by 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hilltops (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Hilltops (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hilltops (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
16,836
% of total
87.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
16,836
87.6%
-2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,405
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,405
7.3%
+0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
328
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
328
1.7%
+0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
79
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
79
0.4%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
49
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
49
0.3%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
42
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
42
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
36
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
36
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
30
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
0.2%
0.0pp
Serbian
2021 count
25
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
25
0.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+212
-2.3pp
Not stated
+166
+0.6pp
Arabic
+122
+0.6pp
Mandarin
+45
+0.2pp
Filipino
+42
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+29
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+9
+0.1pp
Spanish
+8
+0.1pp
Italian
-7
0.0pp
Serbian
-6
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Hilltops (A). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| English | 16,836 | 87.6% | 86.8% | 16,624 | 89.9% | 87.1% | +212 | -2.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,405 | 7.3% | 6.6% | 1,239 | 6.7% | 7.1% | +166 | +0.6pp |
| Arabic | 328 | 1.7% | 0.3% | 206 | 1.1% | 0.3% | +122 | +0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 79 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 34 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +45 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 49 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +42 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 42 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +29 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 36 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 27 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 30 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 22 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 30 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 37 | 0.2% | 0.5% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Serbian | 25 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 31 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 19,225 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,483 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +742 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.