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 Mosman, accounting for 80.1% (22,671 people). This share was similar to Mosman (A) (80.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 22,485 people, while its share fell by 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mosman - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mosman in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mosman (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mosman, with comparison markers for Mosman (A).
English
2021 count
22,671
% of total
80.1%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
22,671
80.1%
-3.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
981
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-10.9pp
981
3.5%
-10.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
836
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-
836
3.0%
-
Spanish
2021 count
327
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
327
1.2%
-
French
2021 count
299
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
299
1.1%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
296
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
296
1.0%
-
Italian
2021 count
220
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
220
0.8%
-
Portuguese
2021 count
216
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
216
0.8%
-
German
2021 count
201
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
201
0.7%
-1.1pp
Greek
2021 count
191
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
191
0.7%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+22,485
-3.7pp
Not stated
+949
-10.9pp
German
+197
-1.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mosman. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mosman (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mosman (A)% | Count | % | Mosman (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 22,671 | 80.1% | 80.1% | 186 | 83.8% | 78.0% | +22,485 | -3.7pp |
| Not stated | 981 | 3.5% | 3.5% | 32 | 14.4% | 6.9% | +949 | -10.9pp |
| Mandarin | 836 | 3.0% | 3.0% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Spanish | 327 | 1.2% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| French | 299 | 1.1% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 296 | 1.0% | 1.0% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Italian | 220 | 0.8% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Portuguese | 216 | 0.8% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| German | 201 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 4 | 1.8% | 0.9% | +197 | -1.1pp |
| Greek | 191 | 0.7% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Total | 28,308 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 222 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +28,086 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.