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 Annandale (NSW) (part), accounting for 80.8% (7,675 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 364 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Annandale (NSW) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Annandale (NSW) (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Annandale (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
7,675
% of total
80.8%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
7,675
80.8%
+3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
508
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
508
5.3%
-2.1pp
Italian
2021 count
141
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
141
1.5%
-0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
124
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
124
1.3%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
120
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
120
1.3%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
108
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
108
1.1%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
66
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
66
0.7%
-0.4pp
French
2021 count
59
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
59
0.6%
-0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
53
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
53
0.6%
+0.3pp
German
2021 count
48
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
48
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+364
+3.2pp
Not stated
-194
-2.1pp
Italian
-40
-0.4pp
Spanish
+14
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-24
-0.2pp
Greek
-8
-0.1pp
Cantonese
-37
-0.4pp
French
-26
-0.3pp
Vietnamese
+21
+0.3pp
German
-5
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Annandale (NSW) (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 7,675 | 80.8% | 69.7% | 7,311 | 77.6% | 64.4% | +364 | +3.2pp |
| Not stated | 508 | 5.3% | 4.4% | 702 | 7.4% | 7.2% | -194 | -2.1pp |
| Italian | 141 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 181 | 1.9% | 2.8% | -40 | -0.4pp |
| Spanish | 124 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 110 | 1.2% | 1.5% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 120 | 1.3% | 3.3% | 144 | 1.5% | 3.6% | -24 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 108 | 1.1% | 2.7% | 116 | 1.2% | 2.9% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 66 | 0.7% | 1.9% | 103 | 1.1% | 1.9% | -37 | -0.4pp |
| French | 59 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 85 | 0.9% | 0.6% | -26 | -0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 53 | 0.6% | 2.0% | 32 | 0.3% | 2.0% | +21 | +0.3pp |
| German | 48 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 53 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 9,499 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,426 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +73 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.