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 Stanmore (NSW), accounting for 77.2% (5,847 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 193 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Stanmore (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Stanmore (NSW) 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 Stanmore (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
5,847
% of total
77.2%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
5,847
77.2%
+5.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
307
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
307
4.1%
-4.7pp
Greek
2021 count
193
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
193
2.5%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
146
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
146
1.9%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
134
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
134
1.8%
-0.4pp
Portuguese
2021 count
124
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
124
1.6%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
118
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
118
1.6%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
96
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
96
1.3%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
82
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
82
1.1%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
51
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
51
0.7%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+193
+5.9pp
Not stated
-389
-4.7pp
Greek
-17
-0.1pp
Spanish
+8
+0.2pp
Italian
-44
-0.4pp
Portuguese
-29
-0.3pp
Mandarin
-6
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+8
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+2
+0.1pp
French
+8
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Stanmore (NSW). 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 | 5,847 | 77.2% | 69.7% | 5,654 | 71.3% | 64.4% | +193 | +5.9pp |
| Not stated | 307 | 4.1% | 4.4% | 696 | 8.8% | 7.2% | -389 | -4.7pp |
| Greek | 193 | 2.5% | 2.7% | 210 | 2.6% | 2.9% | -17 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 146 | 1.9% | 1.5% | 138 | 1.7% | 1.5% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 134 | 1.8% | 2.2% | 178 | 2.2% | 2.8% | -44 | -0.4pp |
| Portuguese | 124 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 153 | 1.9% | 1.1% | -29 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 118 | 1.6% | 3.3% | 124 | 1.6% | 3.6% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 96 | 1.3% | 2.0% | 88 | 1.1% | 2.0% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 82 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 80 | 1.0% | 1.9% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| French | 51 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 43 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 7,577 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,934 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -357 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.