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 Petersham, accounting for 75.5% (6,157 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 512 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Petersham - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Petersham 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 Petersham, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
6,157
% of total
75.5%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
6,157
75.5%
+5.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
451
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
451
5.5%
-3.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
210
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
210
2.6%
-0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
168
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
168
2.1%
-0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
146
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
146
1.8%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
141
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
141
1.7%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
132
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
132
1.6%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
90
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
90
1.1%
-0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
79
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
79
1.0%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
64
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
64
0.8%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+512
+5.8pp
Not stated
-237
-3.0pp
Portuguese
-32
-0.4pp
Greek
-40
-0.5pp
Italian
-8
-0.1pp
Spanish
-16
-0.2pp
Mandarin
-10
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
-21
-0.3pp
Arabic
+2
0.0pp
Cantonese
+12
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Petersham. 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 | 6,157 | 75.5% | 69.7% | 5,645 | 69.7% | 64.4% | +512 | +5.8pp |
| Not stated | 451 | 5.5% | 4.4% | 688 | 8.5% | 7.2% | -237 | -3.0pp |
| Portuguese | 210 | 2.6% | 1.1% | 242 | 3.0% | 1.1% | -32 | -0.4pp |
| Greek | 168 | 2.1% | 2.7% | 208 | 2.6% | 2.9% | -40 | -0.5pp |
| Italian | 146 | 1.8% | 2.2% | 154 | 1.9% | 2.8% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 141 | 1.7% | 1.5% | 157 | 1.9% | 1.5% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 132 | 1.6% | 3.3% | 142 | 1.8% | 3.6% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 90 | 1.1% | 2.0% | 111 | 1.4% | 2.0% | -21 | -0.3pp |
| Arabic | 79 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 77 | 1.0% | 1.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 64 | 0.8% | 1.9% | 52 | 0.6% | 1.9% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 8,158 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,099 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +59 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.