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 Summer Hill (Inner West - NSW), accounting for 69.9% (5,088 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,841 people, while its share fell by 5.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Summer Hill (Inner West - NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Summer Hill (Inner West - 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 Summer Hill (Inner West - NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
5,088
% of total
69.9%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
5,088
69.9%
-5.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
348
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
348
4.8%
+4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
307
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-14.0pp
307
4.2%
-14.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
138
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
138
1.9%
+1.6pp
Korean
2021 count
127
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
127
1.7%
-
Spanish
2021 count
116
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-
116
1.6%
-
Greek
2021 count
112
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
112
1.5%
+1.3pp
Italian
2021 count
93
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
93
1.3%
+0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
89
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
89
1.2%
-
Nepali
2021 count
76
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
76
1.0%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,841
-5.6pp
Mandarin
+342
+4.4pp
Not stated
+6
-14.0pp
Cantonese
+133
+1.6pp
Greek
+109
+1.3pp
Italian
+76
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
+57
+0.3pp
French
+46
+0.5pp
Hindi
+28
0.0pp
Croatian
+2
-1.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Summer Hill (Inner West - 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 | 5,088 | 69.9% | 69.7% | 1,247 | 75.5% | 64.4% | +3,841 | -5.6pp |
| Mandarin | 348 | 4.8% | 3.3% | 6 | 0.4% | 3.6% | +342 | +4.4pp |
| Not stated | 307 | 4.2% | 4.4% | 301 | 18.2% | 7.2% | +6 | -14.0pp |
| Cantonese | 138 | 1.9% | 1.9% | 5 | 0.3% | 1.9% | +133 | +1.6pp |
| Korean | 127 | 1.7% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Spanish | 116 | 1.6% | 1.5% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Greek | 112 | 1.5% | 2.7% | 3 | 0.2% | 2.9% | +109 | +1.3pp |
| Italian | 93 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 17 | 1.0% | 2.8% | +76 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 89 | 1.2% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Nepali | 76 | 1.0% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Total | 7,277 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,652 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,625 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.