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 Northern Beaches (A), accounting for 81% (213,359 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 11,586 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Northern Beaches (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Northern Beaches (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 Northern Beaches (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
213,359
% of total
81.0%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
213,359
81.0%
+1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
9,150
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
9,150
3.5%
-1.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
3,536
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,536
1.3%
0.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
3,492
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,492
1.3%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
3,176
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,176
1.2%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
3,128
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,128
1.2%
+0.3pp
French
2021 count
2,521
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,521
1.0%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
2,256
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,256
0.9%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,788
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,788
0.7%
0.0pp
Armenian
2021 count
1,277
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,277
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+11,586
+1.2pp
Not stated
-3,744
-1.6pp
Mandarin
+232
0.0pp
Portuguese
+840
+0.3pp
Italian
-220
-0.1pp
Spanish
+908
+0.3pp
French
+246
+0.1pp
German
-20
0.0pp
Cantonese
-16
0.0pp
Armenian
+66
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Northern Beaches (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 | 213,359 | 81.0% | 57.3% | 201,773 | 79.8% | 58.4% | +11,586 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 9,150 | 3.5% | 5.3% | 12,894 | 5.1% | 5.8% | -3,744 | -1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 3,536 | 1.3% | 5.0% | 3,304 | 1.3% | 4.7% | +232 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 3,492 | 1.3% | 0.5% | 2,652 | 1.0% | 0.4% | +840 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 3,176 | 1.2% | 1.0% | 3,396 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -220 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 3,128 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 2,220 | 0.9% | 1.2% | +908 | +0.3pp |
| French | 2,521 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 2,275 | 0.9% | 0.4% | +246 | +0.1pp |
| German | 2,256 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 2,276 | 0.9% | 0.3% | -20 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 1,788 | 0.7% | 2.8% | 1,804 | 0.7% | 2.9% | -16 | 0.0pp |
| Armenian | 1,277 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 1,211 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +66 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 263,561 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 252,797 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,764 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.