Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 596 people, while its share fell by 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lewisham (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Lewisham (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lewisham (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Cantonese
Greek
Italian
Portuguese
Vietnamese
Spanish
Japanese
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+596
-1.4pp
Not stated
+19
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+114
+2.4pp
Cantonese
+59
+1.1pp
Greek
+5
-0.4pp
Italian
+23
+0.2pp
Portuguese
-16
-0.9pp
Vietnamese
+25
+0.5pp
Spanish
-11
-0.7pp
Japanese
+21
+0.5pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 2,263 | 71.9% | 64.4% | +596 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 241 | 5.9% | 4.4% | 222 | 7.1% | 7.2% | +19 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 170 | 4.2% | 3.3% | 56 | 1.8% | 3.6% | +114 | +2.4pp |
| Cantonese | 113 | 2.8% | 1.9% | 54 | 1.7% | 1.9% | +59 | +1.1pp |
| Greek | 85 | 2.1% | 2.7% | 80 | 2.5% | 2.9% | +5 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 81 | 2.0% | 2.2% | 58 | 1.8% | 2.8% | +23 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 60 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 76 | 2.4% | 1.1% | -16 | -0.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 51 | 1.3% | 2.0% | 26 | 0.8% | 2.0% | +25 | +0.5pp |
| Spanish | 49 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 60 | 1.9% | 1.5% | -11 | -0.7pp |
| Japanese | 27 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 4,058 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,146 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +912 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.