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 Leichhardt (NSW), accounting for 76.3% (11,572 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 920 people and 3.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Leichhardt (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Leichhardt (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 Leichhardt (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
11,572
% of total
76.3%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
11,572
76.3%
+3.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
605
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
605
4.0%
-3.1pp
Italian
2021 count
601
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
601
4.0%
-1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
276
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
276
1.8%
+0.7pp
Spanish
2021 count
267
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
267
1.8%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
195
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
195
1.3%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
161
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
161
1.1%
+0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
132
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
132
0.9%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
94
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
94
0.6%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
89
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
89
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+920
+3.4pp
Not stated
-433
-3.1pp
Italian
-160
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+115
+0.7pp
Spanish
+5
0.0pp
Greek
-12
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+24
+0.2pp
Portuguese
+24
+0.2pp
German
+8
0.0pp
French
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Leichhardt (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 | 11,572 | 76.3% | 69.7% | 10,652 | 72.9% | 64.4% | +920 | +3.4pp |
| Not stated | 605 | 4.0% | 4.4% | 1,038 | 7.1% | 7.2% | -433 | -3.1pp |
| Italian | 601 | 4.0% | 2.2% | 761 | 5.2% | 2.8% | -160 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 276 | 1.8% | 3.3% | 161 | 1.1% | 3.6% | +115 | +0.7pp |
| Spanish | 267 | 1.8% | 1.5% | 262 | 1.8% | 1.5% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 195 | 1.3% | 2.7% | 207 | 1.4% | 2.9% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 161 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 137 | 0.9% | 1.9% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 132 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 108 | 0.7% | 1.1% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| German | 94 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 86 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| French | 89 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 88 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 15,159 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,611 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +548 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.