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 Ashfield (NSW), accounting for 46.1% (10,593 people). This share was lower than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,171 people and 6.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ashfield (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ashfield (NSW) 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 Ashfield (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
10,593
% of total
46.1%
Change from 2016
+6.6pp
10,593
46.1%
+6.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,885
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
2,885
12.5%
-2.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
1,557
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,557
6.8%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,214
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,214
5.3%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,054
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
1,054
4.6%
-1.7pp
Italian
2021 count
501
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
501
2.2%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
395
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
395
1.7%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
372
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
372
1.6%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
353
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
353
1.5%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
334
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
334
1.5%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,171
+6.6pp
Mandarin
-608
-2.2pp
Nepali
-166
-0.4pp
Cantonese
-17
+0.1pp
Not stated
-438
-1.7pp
Italian
-81
-0.2pp
Spanish
-15
0.0pp
Greek
-22
-0.1pp
Thai
-62
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
+74
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ashfield (NSW). 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 | 10,593 | 46.1% | 69.7% | 9,422 | 39.5% | 64.4% | +1,171 | +6.6pp |
| Mandarin | 2,885 | 12.5% | 3.3% | 3,493 | 14.7% | 3.6% | -608 | -2.2pp |
| Nepali | 1,557 | 6.8% | 1.1% | 1,723 | 7.2% | 1.3% | -166 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 1,214 | 5.3% | 1.9% | 1,231 | 5.2% | 1.9% | -17 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,054 | 4.6% | 4.4% | 1,492 | 6.3% | 7.2% | -438 | -1.7pp |
| Italian | 501 | 2.2% | 2.2% | 582 | 2.4% | 2.8% | -81 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 395 | 1.7% | 1.5% | 410 | 1.7% | 1.5% | -15 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 372 | 1.6% | 2.7% | 394 | 1.7% | 2.9% | -22 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 353 | 1.5% | 0.7% | 415 | 1.7% | 0.8% | -62 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 334 | 1.5% | 2.0% | 260 | 1.1% | 2.0% | +74 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 22,994 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,830 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -836 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.