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 Lilyfield, accounting for 78.7% (6,006 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,948 people, while its share fell by 21.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lilyfield - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lilyfield 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 Lilyfield, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
6,006
% of total
78.7%
Change from 2016
-21.3pp
6,006
78.7%
-21.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
378
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-
378
5.0%
-
Italian
2021 count
219
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-
219
2.9%
-
Greek
2021 count
134
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
134
1.8%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
89
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
89
1.2%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
83
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
83
1.1%
-
Spanish
2021 count
71
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
71
0.9%
-
German
2021 count
45
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
45
0.6%
-
Serbian
2021 count
44
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
44
0.6%
-
Portuguese
2021 count
42
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
42
0.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,948
-21.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lilyfield. 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 | 6,006 | 78.7% | 69.7% | 58 | 100.0% | 64.4% | +5,948 | -21.3pp |
| Not stated | 378 | 5.0% | 4.4% | - | - | 7.2% | - | - |
| Italian | 219 | 2.9% | 2.2% | - | - | 2.8% | - | - |
| Greek | 134 | 1.8% | 2.7% | - | - | 2.9% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 89 | 1.2% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.6% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 83 | 1.1% | 1.9% | - | - | 1.9% | - | - |
| Spanish | 71 | 0.9% | 1.5% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| German | 45 | 0.6% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Serbian | 44 | 0.6% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Portuguese | 42 | 0.6% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Total | 7,631 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 58 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,573 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.