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 Dulwich Hill, accounting for 67.4% (9,469 people). This share was lower than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,103 people and 6.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dulwich Hill - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dulwich Hill 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 Dulwich Hill, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
9,469
% of total
67.4%
Change from 2016
+6.4pp
9,469
67.4%
+6.4pp
Greek
2021 count
696
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
696
5.0%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
683
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
683
4.9%
-2.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
450
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
450
3.2%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
341
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
341
2.4%
-0.5pp
Portuguese
2021 count
270
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
270
1.9%
-0.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
259
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
259
1.8%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
214
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
214
1.5%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
213
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
213
1.5%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
174
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
174
1.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,103
+6.4pp
Greek
-69
-0.6pp
Not stated
-272
-2.1pp
Arabic
+9
0.0pp
Vietnamese
-51
-0.5pp
Portuguese
-55
-0.5pp
Spanish
-18
-0.2pp
Mandarin
-2
-0.1pp
Italian
-48
-0.4pp
Cantonese
+1
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Dulwich Hill. 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 | 9,469 | 67.4% | 69.7% | 8,366 | 61.0% | 64.4% | +1,103 | +6.4pp |
| Greek | 696 | 5.0% | 2.7% | 765 | 5.6% | 2.9% | -69 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 683 | 4.9% | 4.4% | 955 | 7.0% | 7.2% | -272 | -2.1pp |
| Arabic | 450 | 3.2% | 1.2% | 441 | 3.2% | 1.3% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 341 | 2.4% | 2.0% | 392 | 2.9% | 2.0% | -51 | -0.5pp |
| Portuguese | 270 | 1.9% | 1.1% | 325 | 2.4% | 1.1% | -55 | -0.5pp |
| Spanish | 259 | 1.8% | 1.5% | 277 | 2.0% | 1.5% | -18 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 214 | 1.5% | 3.3% | 216 | 1.6% | 3.6% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 213 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 261 | 1.9% | 2.8% | -48 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 174 | 1.2% | 1.9% | 173 | 1.3% | 1.9% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 14,039 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,704 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +335 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.