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 Newtown (NSW) (part), accounting for 78.3% (11,499 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 700 people and 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Newtown (NSW) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Newtown (NSW) (part) 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 Newtown (NSW) (part), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
11,499
% of total
78.3%
Change from 2016
+6.5pp
11,499
78.3%
+6.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
707
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
707
4.8%
-4.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
263
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
263
1.8%
-1.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
213
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
213
1.5%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
196
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
196
1.3%
-0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
158
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
158
1.1%
-0.2pp
Thai
2021 count
149
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
149
1.0%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
146
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
146
1.0%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
132
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
132
0.9%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
101
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
101
0.7%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+700
+6.5pp
Not stated
-686
-4.5pp
Mandarin
-162
-1.0pp
Spanish
-15
0.0pp
Greek
-41
-0.3pp
Cantonese
-32
-0.2pp
Thai
-10
-0.1pp
French
-3
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+5
+0.1pp
Italian
-16
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Newtown (NSW) (part). 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 | 11,499 | 78.3% | 69.7% | 10,799 | 71.8% | 64.4% | +700 | +6.5pp |
| Not stated | 707 | 4.8% | 4.4% | 1,393 | 9.3% | 7.2% | -686 | -4.5pp |
| Mandarin | 263 | 1.8% | 3.3% | 425 | 2.8% | 3.6% | -162 | -1.0pp |
| Spanish | 213 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 228 | 1.5% | 1.5% | -15 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 196 | 1.3% | 2.7% | 237 | 1.6% | 2.9% | -41 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 158 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 190 | 1.3% | 1.9% | -32 | -0.2pp |
| Thai | 149 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 159 | 1.1% | 0.8% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| French | 146 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 149 | 1.0% | 0.6% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 132 | 0.9% | 2.0% | 127 | 0.8% | 2.0% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 101 | 0.7% | 2.2% | 117 | 0.8% | 2.8% | -16 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 14,677 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,034 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -357 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.