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 Haberfield (part), accounting for 70.8% (4,580 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 417 people and 6.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Haberfield (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Haberfield (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 Haberfield (part), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
4,580
% of total
70.8%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
4,580
70.8%
+6.1pp
Italian
2021 count
1,041
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
1,041
16.1%
-4.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
158
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
158
2.4%
-1.3pp
Greek
2021 count
128
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
128
2.0%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
86
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
86
1.3%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
81
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
81
1.3%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
53
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
53
0.8%
-0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
47
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
47
0.7%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
40
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
40
0.6%
+0.3pp
Croatian
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
23
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+417
+6.1pp
Italian
-292
-4.6pp
Not stated
-80
-1.3pp
Greek
-1
0.0pp
Mandarin
-4
-0.1pp
Spanish
+4
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-8
-0.1pp
Portuguese
+11
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+22
+0.3pp
Croatian
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Haberfield (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 | 4,580 | 70.8% | 69.7% | 4,163 | 64.7% | 64.4% | +417 | +6.1pp |
| Italian | 1,041 | 16.1% | 2.2% | 1,333 | 20.7% | 2.8% | -292 | -4.6pp |
| Not stated | 158 | 2.4% | 4.4% | 238 | 3.7% | 7.2% | -80 | -1.3pp |
| Greek | 128 | 2.0% | 2.7% | 129 | 2.0% | 2.9% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 86 | 1.3% | 3.3% | 90 | 1.4% | 3.6% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 81 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 77 | 1.2% | 1.5% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 53 | 0.8% | 1.9% | 61 | 0.9% | 1.9% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 47 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 36 | 0.6% | 1.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 40 | 0.6% | 2.0% | 18 | 0.3% | 2.0% | +22 | +0.3pp |
| Croatian | 23 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 18 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,469 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,432 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +37 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.