Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 1,723 people and 6.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Marrickville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken 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
Greek
Vietnamese
Not stated
Arabic
Portuguese
Cantonese
Spanish
Mandarin
Italian
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,723
+6.7pp
Greek
-167
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
-126
-0.5pp
Not stated
-577
-2.2pp
Arabic
-181
-0.7pp
Portuguese
-36
-0.2pp
Cantonese
+23
+0.1pp
Spanish
-14
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-97
-0.3pp
Italian
-75
-0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 14,839 | 55.8% | 64.4% | +1,723 | +6.7pp |
| Greek | 1,849 | 7.0% | 2.7% | 2,016 | 7.6% | 2.9% | -167 | -0.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,836 | 6.9% | 2.0% | 1,962 | 7.4% | 2.0% | -126 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,285 | 4.8% | 4.4% | 1,862 | 7.0% | 7.2% | -577 | -2.2pp |
| Arabic | 639 | 2.4% | 1.2% | 820 | 3.1% | 1.3% | -181 | -0.7pp |
| Portuguese | 485 | 1.8% | 1.1% | 521 | 2.0% | 1.1% | -36 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 481 | 1.8% | 1.9% | 458 | 1.7% | 1.9% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 383 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 397 | 1.5% | 1.5% | -14 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 359 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 456 | 1.7% | 3.6% | -97 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 235 | 0.9% | 2.2% | 310 | 1.2% | 2.8% | -75 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 26,515 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -73 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.