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 Parramatta (C), accounting for 38.2% (98,111 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 8,120 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Parramatta (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Parramatta (C) 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 Parramatta (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
98,111
% of total
38.2%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
98,111
38.2%
-3.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
31,823
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
31,823
12.4%
+1.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
16,404
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
16,404
6.4%
-0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
14,190
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
14,190
5.5%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
13,813
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
13,813
5.4%
-0.9pp
Hindi
2021 count
9,590
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
9,590
3.7%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
8,311
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
8,311
3.2%
0.0pp
Tamil
2021 count
5,712
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,712
2.2%
+0.1pp
Gujarati
2021 count
4,325
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
4,325
1.7%
-0.5pp
Nepali
2021 count
4,271
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
4,271
1.7%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,778
-3.5pp
Mandarin
+8,120
+1.9pp
Cantonese
+1,680
-0.1pp
Korean
+2,944
+0.5pp
Not stated
-391
-0.9pp
Hindi
+1,513
+0.1pp
Arabic
+1,033
0.0pp
Tamil
+853
+0.1pp
Gujarati
-576
-0.5pp
Nepali
+2,936
+1.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Parramatta (C). 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 | 98,111 | 38.2% | 57.3% | 94,333 | 41.7% | 58.4% | +3,778 | -3.5pp |
| Mandarin | 31,823 | 12.4% | 5.0% | 23,703 | 10.5% | 4.7% | +8,120 | +1.9pp |
| Cantonese | 16,404 | 6.4% | 2.8% | 14,724 | 6.5% | 2.9% | +1,680 | -0.1pp |
| Korean | 14,190 | 5.5% | 1.1% | 11,246 | 5.0% | 1.2% | +2,944 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 13,813 | 5.4% | 5.3% | 14,204 | 6.3% | 5.8% | -391 | -0.9pp |
| Hindi | 9,590 | 3.7% | 1.5% | 8,077 | 3.6% | 1.3% | +1,513 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 8,311 | 3.2% | 4.2% | 7,278 | 3.2% | 4.0% | +1,033 | 0.0pp |
| Tamil | 5,712 | 2.2% | 0.7% | 4,859 | 2.1% | 0.6% | +853 | +0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 4,325 | 1.7% | 0.5% | 4,901 | 2.2% | 0.4% | -576 | -0.5pp |
| Nepali | 4,271 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1,335 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +2,936 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 256,710 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 226,120 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +30,590 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.