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 Dundas (NSW), accounting for 46.4% (2,295 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 117 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dundas (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dundas (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dundas (NSW), with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
2,295
% of total
46.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
2,295
46.4%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
675
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
675
13.7%
+0.5pp
Korean
2021 count
411
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
411
8.3%
+0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
373
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
373
7.5%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
166
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
166
3.4%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
159
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
159
3.2%
-2.0pp
Armenian
2021 count
66
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
66
1.3%
+0.6pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
60
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
60
1.2%
-0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
59
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
59
1.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
48
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
48
1.0%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+117
+0.3pp
Mandarin
+53
+0.5pp
Korean
+31
+0.3pp
Cantonese
+27
+0.2pp
Arabic
+39
+0.7pp
Not stated
-86
-2.0pp
Armenian
+32
+0.6pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
-11
-0.3pp
Hindi
+9
+0.1pp
Italian
+10
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Dundas (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Parramatta (C)% | Count | % | Parramatta (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,295 | 46.4% | 38.2% | 2,178 | 46.1% | 41.7% | +117 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 675 | 13.7% | 12.4% | 622 | 13.2% | 10.5% | +53 | +0.5pp |
| Korean | 411 | 8.3% | 5.5% | 380 | 8.0% | 5.0% | +31 | +0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 373 | 7.5% | 6.4% | 346 | 7.3% | 6.5% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 166 | 3.4% | 3.2% | 127 | 2.7% | 3.2% | +39 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 159 | 3.2% | 5.4% | 245 | 5.2% | 6.3% | -86 | -2.0pp |
| Armenian | 66 | 1.3% | 0.4% | 34 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +32 | +0.6pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 60 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 71 | 1.5% | 1.3% | -11 | -0.3pp |
| Hindi | 59 | 1.2% | 3.7% | 50 | 1.1% | 3.6% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 48 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 38 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,941 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,724 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +217 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.