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 Marrickville, accounting for 62.5% (16,562 people). This share was lower than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 9,830 people, while its share fell by 25.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Marrickville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Marrickville 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 Marrickville, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
16,562
% of total
62.5%
Change from 2016
-25.2pp
16,562
62.5%
-25.2pp
Greek
2021 count
1,849
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
1,849
7.0%
+6.8pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,836
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+6.3pp
1,836
6.9%
+6.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,285
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
1,285
4.8%
+1.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
639
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
639
2.4%
+2.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
485
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
485
1.8%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
481
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
481
1.8%
+1.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
383
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
383
1.4%
+1.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
359
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
359
1.4%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
235
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
235
0.9%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+9,830
-25.2pp
Greek
+1,836
+6.8pp
Vietnamese
+1,793
+6.3pp
Not stated
+1,061
+1.9pp
Arabic
+619
+2.1pp
Cantonese
+438
+1.2pp
Spanish
+359
+1.1pp
Mandarin
+289
+0.5pp
Italian
+219
+0.7pp
Thai
+205
+0.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Marrickville. 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 | 16,562 | 62.5% | 69.7% | 6,732 | 87.7% | 64.4% | +9,830 | -25.2pp |
| Greek | 1,849 | 7.0% | 2.7% | 13 | 0.2% | 2.9% | +1,836 | +6.8pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,836 | 6.9% | 2.0% | 43 | 0.6% | 2.0% | +1,793 | +6.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,285 | 4.8% | 4.4% | 224 | 2.9% | 7.2% | +1,061 | +1.9pp |
| Arabic | 639 | 2.4% | 1.2% | 20 | 0.3% | 1.3% | +619 | +2.1pp |
| Portuguese | 485 | 1.8% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 481 | 1.8% | 1.9% | 43 | 0.6% | 1.9% | +438 | +1.2pp |
| Spanish | 383 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 24 | 0.3% | 1.5% | +359 | +1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 359 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 70 | 0.9% | 3.6% | +289 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 235 | 0.9% | 2.2% | 16 | 0.2% | 2.8% | +219 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 26,515 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,672 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +18,843 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.