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 Valley, accounting for 42.1% (2,469 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 180 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dundas Valley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dundas Valley 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 Valley, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
2,469
% of total
42.1%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
2,469
42.1%
-4.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
873
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
873
14.9%
+2.3pp
Korean
2021 count
552
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
552
9.4%
+0.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
520
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
520
8.9%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
366
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
366
6.2%
+1.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
236
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
236
4.0%
+0.3pp
Armenian
2021 count
116
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
116
2.0%
+0.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
78
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
78
1.3%
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
71
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
71
1.2%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
43
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
43
0.7%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-85
-4.3pp
Mandarin
+180
+2.3pp
Korean
+62
+0.5pp
Cantonese
+60
+0.6pp
Not stated
+101
+1.4pp
Arabic
+33
+0.3pp
Armenian
+36
+0.5pp
Spanish
-5
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+19
+0.3pp
Italian
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Dundas Valley. 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 | 2,469 | 42.1% | 38.2% | 2,554 | 46.4% | 41.7% | -85 | -4.3pp |
| Mandarin | 873 | 14.9% | 12.4% | 693 | 12.6% | 10.5% | +180 | +2.3pp |
| Korean | 552 | 9.4% | 5.5% | 490 | 8.9% | 5.0% | +62 | +0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 520 | 8.9% | 6.4% | 460 | 8.3% | 6.5% | +60 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 366 | 6.2% | 5.4% | 265 | 4.8% | 6.3% | +101 | +1.4pp |
| Arabic | 236 | 4.0% | 3.2% | 203 | 3.7% | 3.2% | +33 | +0.3pp |
| Armenian | 116 | 2.0% | 0.4% | 80 | 1.5% | 0.3% | +36 | +0.5pp |
| Spanish | 78 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 83 | 1.5% | 0.9% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 71 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 52 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 43 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 46 | 0.8% | 0.6% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 5,863 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,506 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +357 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.