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 Balmain East (part), accounting for 85.1% (1,607 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 61 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Balmain East (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Balmain East (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 Balmain East (part), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
1,607
% of total
85.1%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
1,607
85.1%
+5.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
95
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
95
5.0%
-4.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
25
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
25
1.3%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
20
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
20
1.1%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
18
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
18
1.0%
-0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
16
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
16
0.8%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
15
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
15
0.8%
+0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
12
0.6%
+0.3pp
Serbian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
10
0.5%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+61
+5.3pp
Not stated
-79
-4.0pp
Spanish
+7
+0.4pp
Mandarin
-3
-0.1pp
French
-9
-0.4pp
Arabic
-2
-0.1pp
German
+8
+0.4pp
Cantonese
+7
+0.3pp
Serbian
+6
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Balmain East (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 | 1,607 | 85.1% | 69.7% | 1,546 | 79.8% | 64.4% | +61 | +5.3pp |
| Not stated | 95 | 5.0% | 4.4% | 174 | 9.0% | 7.2% | -79 | -4.0pp |
| Spanish | 25 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 18 | 0.9% | 1.5% | +7 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 20 | 1.1% | 3.3% | 23 | 1.2% | 3.6% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| French | 18 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 27 | 1.4% | 0.6% | -9 | -0.4pp |
| Arabic | 16 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 18 | 0.9% | 1.3% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| German | 15 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 12 | 0.6% | 1.9% | 5 | 0.3% | 1.9% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Serbian | 10 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 1,889 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,938 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -49 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.