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 Tempe, accounting for 67.2% (2,380 people). This share was lower than Inner West (A) (69.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 218 people and 6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tempe - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Tempe 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 Tempe, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
English
2021 count
2,380
% of total
67.2%
Change from 2016
+6.0pp
2,380
67.2%
+6.0pp
Macedonian
2021 count
156
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
156
4.4%
-0.8pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
142
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
142
4.0%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
131
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
131
3.7%
-1.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
120
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
120
3.4%
-0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
104
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
104
2.9%
-1.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
58
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
58
1.6%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
55
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
55
1.6%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
37
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
37
1.0%
-0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
36
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
36
1.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+218
+6.0pp
Macedonian
-28
-0.8pp
Vietnamese
-21
-0.6pp
Not stated
-41
-1.2pp
Cantonese
-15
-0.4pp
Greek
-37
-1.1pp
Mandarin
+3
0.0pp
Spanish
-6
-0.1pp
Thai
-10
-0.3pp
Arabic
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Tempe. 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 | 2,380 | 67.2% | 69.7% | 2,162 | 61.2% | 64.4% | +218 | +6.0pp |
| Macedonian | 156 | 4.4% | 0.2% | 184 | 5.2% | 0.3% | -28 | -0.8pp |
| Vietnamese | 142 | 4.0% | 2.0% | 163 | 4.6% | 2.0% | -21 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 131 | 3.7% | 4.4% | 172 | 4.9% | 7.2% | -41 | -1.2pp |
| Cantonese | 120 | 3.4% | 1.9% | 135 | 3.8% | 1.9% | -15 | -0.4pp |
| Greek | 104 | 2.9% | 2.7% | 141 | 4.0% | 2.9% | -37 | -1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 58 | 1.6% | 3.3% | 55 | 1.6% | 3.6% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 55 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 61 | 1.7% | 1.5% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 37 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 47 | 1.3% | 0.8% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Arabic | 36 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 37 | 1.0% | 1.3% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 3,541 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,532 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.