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 North Sydney (A), accounting for 71.8% (49,499 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,062 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
North Sydney (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for North Sydney (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for North Sydney (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
49,499
% of total
71.8%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
49,499
71.8%
+1.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,990
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
2,990
4.3%
-3.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,968
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
2,968
4.3%
+0.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,888
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,888
2.7%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
1,098
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,098
1.6%
+0.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
1,014
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,014
1.5%
-0.3pp
Portuguese
2021 count
654
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
654
0.9%
+0.2pp
French
2021 count
630
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
630
0.9%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
615
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
615
0.9%
+0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
527
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
527
0.8%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,062
+1.7pp
Not stated
-2,175
-3.3pp
Mandarin
+687
+0.9pp
Cantonese
+233
+0.3pp
Spanish
+156
+0.2pp
Japanese
-177
-0.3pp
Portuguese
+211
+0.2pp
French
-111
-0.2pp
Hindi
+77
+0.1pp
Korean
+96
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for North Sydney (A). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| English | 49,499 | 71.8% | 57.3% | 47,437 | 70.1% | 58.4% | +2,062 | +1.7pp |
| Not stated | 2,990 | 4.3% | 5.3% | 5,165 | 7.6% | 5.8% | -2,175 | -3.3pp |
| Mandarin | 2,968 | 4.3% | 5.0% | 2,281 | 3.4% | 4.7% | +687 | +0.9pp |
| Cantonese | 1,888 | 2.7% | 2.8% | 1,655 | 2.4% | 2.9% | +233 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 1,098 | 1.6% | 1.2% | 942 | 1.4% | 1.2% | +156 | +0.2pp |
| Japanese | 1,014 | 1.5% | 0.3% | 1,191 | 1.8% | 0.3% | -177 | -0.3pp |
| Portuguese | 654 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 443 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +211 | +0.2pp |
| French | 630 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 741 | 1.1% | 0.4% | -111 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 615 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 538 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +77 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 527 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 431 | 0.6% | 1.2% | +96 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 68,947 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 67,649 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,298 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.