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 Sydenham (NSW), accounting for 64.9% (691 people). This share was lower than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 109 people and 13.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sydenham (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sydenham (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 Sydenham (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
691
% of total
64.9%
Change from 2016
+13.3pp
691
64.9%
+13.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
53
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
53
5.0%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
48
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
48
4.5%
+0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
41
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
41
3.8%
-1.4pp
Thai
2021 count
38
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
38
3.6%
-2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
27
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
27
2.5%
-3.7pp
Nepali
2021 count
22
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
22
2.1%
-1.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
22
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
22
2.1%
-0.5pp
Portuguese
2021 count
21
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
21
2.0%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
15
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
1.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+109
+13.3pp
Vietnamese
-3
0.0pp
Cantonese
+4
+0.6pp
Greek
-18
-1.4pp
Thai
-29
-2.3pp
Not stated
-43
-3.7pp
Nepali
-14
-1.1pp
Mandarin
-7
-0.5pp
Portuguese
-5
-0.3pp
Spanish
0
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sydenham (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 | 691 | 64.9% | 69.7% | 582 | 51.6% | 64.4% | +109 | +13.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 53 | 5.0% | 2.0% | 56 | 5.0% | 2.0% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 48 | 4.5% | 1.9% | 44 | 3.9% | 1.9% | +4 | +0.6pp |
| Greek | 41 | 3.8% | 2.7% | 59 | 5.2% | 2.9% | -18 | -1.4pp |
| Thai | 38 | 3.6% | 0.7% | 67 | 5.9% | 0.8% | -29 | -2.3pp |
| Not stated | 27 | 2.5% | 4.4% | 70 | 6.2% | 7.2% | -43 | -3.7pp |
| Nepali | 22 | 2.1% | 1.1% | 36 | 3.2% | 1.3% | -14 | -1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 22 | 2.1% | 3.3% | 29 | 2.6% | 3.6% | -7 | -0.5pp |
| Portuguese | 21 | 2.0% | 1.1% | 26 | 2.3% | 1.1% | -5 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 15 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 15 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 1,065 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,129 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -64 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.