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 Westbourne Park, accounting for 83.2% (2,121 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 44 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Westbourne Park - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Westbourne Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Westbourne Park, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
2021 count
2,121
% of total
83.2%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
2,121
83.2%
+1.7pp
Greek
2021 count
79
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
79
3.1%
-0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
54
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
54
2.1%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
48
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
48
1.9%
-0.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
39
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
39
1.5%
+1.0pp
Italian
2021 count
36
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
36
1.4%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
26
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
26
1.0%
+0.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
25
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
25
1.0%
+0.7pp
Punjabi
2021 count
15
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
15
0.6%
+0.3pp
Indonesian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.4%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+44
+1.7pp
Greek
-11
-0.4pp
Mandarin
-31
-1.2pp
Not stated
-11
-0.4pp
Nepali
+26
+1.0pp
Italian
-3
-0.1pp
French
+19
+0.7pp
Arabic
+18
+0.7pp
Punjabi
+8
+0.3pp
Cantonese
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Westbourne Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,121 | 83.2% | 82.5% | 2,077 | 81.5% | 81.7% | +44 | +1.7pp |
| Greek | 79 | 3.1% | 1.9% | 90 | 3.5% | 2.2% | -11 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 54 | 2.1% | 2.5% | 85 | 3.3% | 2.3% | -31 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 48 | 1.9% | 2.4% | 59 | 2.3% | 3.6% | -11 | -0.4pp |
| Nepali | 39 | 1.5% | 0.6% | 13 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +26 | +1.0pp |
| Italian | 36 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 39 | 1.5% | 0.9% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| French | 26 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +19 | +0.7pp |
| Arabic | 25 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 7 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +18 | +0.7pp |
| Punjabi | 15 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Indonesian | 10 | 0.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Total | 2,548 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,549 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -1 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.