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 No usual address (NSW), accounting for 56.7% (6,417 people). This share was lower than New South Wales (67.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 792 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
No usual address (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for No usual address (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against New South Wales and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for No usual address (NSW), with comparison markers for New South Wales.
English
2021 count
6,417
% of total
56.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
6,417
56.7%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,803
% of total
33.6%
Change from 2016
+7.1pp
3,803
33.6%
+7.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
152
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
152
1.3%
-1.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
90
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
90
0.8%
-0.5pp
French
2021 count
72
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
72
0.6%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
67
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
67
0.6%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
51
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
51
0.5%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
39
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
39
0.3%
-0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
37
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
37
0.3%
0.0pp
Indonesian
2021 count
31
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-792
-2.1pp
Not stated
+547
+7.1pp
Mandarin
-154
-1.2pp
Arabic
-71
-0.5pp
French
-18
-0.1pp
Spanish
-26
-0.2pp
Cantonese
-30
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
-47
-0.4pp
Greek
+2
0.0pp
Indonesian
+3
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for No usual address (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with New South Wales.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | New South Wales% | Count | % | New South Wales% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,417 | 56.7% | 67.6% | 7,209 | 58.8% | 68.9% | -792 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 3,803 | 33.6% | 5.8% | 3,256 | 26.5% | 6.2% | +547 | +7.1pp |
| Mandarin | 152 | 1.3% | 3.4% | 306 | 2.5% | 3.2% | -154 | -1.2pp |
| Arabic | 90 | 0.8% | 2.8% | 161 | 1.3% | 2.7% | -71 | -0.5pp |
| French | 72 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 90 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -18 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 67 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 93 | 0.8% | 0.8% | -26 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 51 | 0.5% | 1.8% | 81 | 0.7% | 1.9% | -30 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 39 | 0.3% | 1.5% | 86 | 0.7% | 1.4% | -47 | -0.4pp |
| Greek | 37 | 0.3% | 1.0% | 35 | 0.3% | 1.0% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Indonesian | 31 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 28 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 11,326 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,269 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -943 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.