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, accounting for 83.6% (8,720 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 427 people and 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Balmain - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Balmain 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, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
8,720
% of total
83.6%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
8,720
83.6%
+4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
436
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
436
4.2%
-4.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
159
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
159
1.5%
+0.6pp
Italian
2021 count
123
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
123
1.2%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
104
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
104
1.0%
+0.3pp
French
2021 count
82
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
82
0.8%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
80
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
80
0.8%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
55
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
55
0.5%
-0.2pp
Russian
2021 count
52
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
52
0.5%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
52
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
52
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+427
+4.1pp
Not stated
-466
-4.5pp
Mandarin
+65
+0.6pp
Italian
-13
-0.1pp
Spanish
+29
+0.3pp
French
-8
-0.1pp
Greek
-8
0.0pp
Cantonese
-15
-0.2pp
Russian
+24
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
-4
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Balmain. 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 | 8,720 | 83.6% | 69.7% | 8,293 | 79.5% | 64.4% | +427 | +4.1pp |
| Not stated | 436 | 4.2% | 4.4% | 902 | 8.7% | 7.2% | -466 | -4.5pp |
| Mandarin | 159 | 1.5% | 3.3% | 94 | 0.9% | 3.6% | +65 | +0.6pp |
| Italian | 123 | 1.2% | 2.2% | 136 | 1.3% | 2.8% | -13 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 104 | 1.0% | 1.5% | 75 | 0.7% | 1.5% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| French | 82 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 90 | 0.9% | 0.6% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 80 | 0.8% | 2.7% | 88 | 0.8% | 2.9% | -8 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 55 | 0.5% | 1.9% | 70 | 0.7% | 1.9% | -15 | -0.2pp |
| Russian | 52 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 28 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 52 | 0.5% | 2.0% | 56 | 0.5% | 2.0% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 10,436 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,426 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.