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 Lewisham (NSW), accounting for 70.5% (2,859 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,617 people, while its share fell by 19 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lewisham (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lewisham (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 Lewisham (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
2,859
% of total
70.5%
Change from 2016
-19.0pp
2,859
70.5%
-19.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
241
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
241
5.9%
+3.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
170
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
170
4.2%
+3.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
113
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
113
2.8%
+2.4pp
Greek
2021 count
85
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
85
2.1%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
81
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
81
2.0%
+1.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
60
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
60
1.5%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
51
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
51
1.3%
-
Spanish
2021 count
49
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
49
1.2%
+0.9pp
Japanese
2021 count
27
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
27
0.7%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,617
-19.0pp
Not stated
+207
+3.5pp
Mandarin
+163
+3.7pp
Cantonese
+108
+2.4pp
Greek
+54
-0.1pp
Italian
+68
+1.1pp
Spanish
+45
+0.9pp
Russian
+18
+0.3pp
Thai
+18
+0.3pp
Arabic
+10
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lewisham (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 | 2,859 | 70.5% | 69.7% | 1,242 | 89.5% | 64.4% | +1,617 | -19.0pp |
| Not stated | 241 | 5.9% | 4.4% | 34 | 2.4% | 7.2% | +207 | +3.5pp |
| Mandarin | 170 | 4.2% | 3.3% | 7 | 0.5% | 3.6% | +163 | +3.7pp |
| Cantonese | 113 | 2.8% | 1.9% | 5 | 0.4% | 1.9% | +108 | +2.4pp |
| Greek | 85 | 2.1% | 2.7% | 31 | 2.2% | 2.9% | +54 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 81 | 2.0% | 2.2% | 13 | 0.9% | 2.8% | +68 | +1.1pp |
| Portuguese | 60 | 1.5% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 51 | 1.3% | 2.0% | - | - | 2.0% | - | - |
| Spanish | 49 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 4 | 0.3% | 1.5% | +45 | +0.9pp |
| Japanese | 27 | 0.7% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Total | 4,058 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,388 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,670 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.