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 Epping (NSW), accounting for 30.9% (9,134 people). This share was lower than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 1,944 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Epping (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Epping (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 Epping (NSW), with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
9,134
% of total
30.9%
Change from 2016
-7.7pp
9,134
30.9%
-7.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
6,829
% of total
23.1%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
6,829
23.1%
+2.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
3,583
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3,583
12.1%
+0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
2,749
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,749
9.3%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
1,022
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,022
3.5%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
933
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
933
3.2%
+0.4pp
Tamil
2021 count
556
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
556
1.9%
+0.5pp
Telugu
2021 count
301
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
301
1.0%
+0.4pp
Urdu
2021 count
296
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
296
1.0%
+0.6pp
Bengali
2021 count
266
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
266
0.9%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+12
-7.7pp
Mandarin
+1,944
+2.5pp
Cantonese
+737
+0.1pp
Korean
+598
+0.2pp
Hindi
+397
+0.9pp
Not stated
+279
+0.4pp
Tamil
+223
+0.5pp
Telugu
+168
+0.4pp
Urdu
+191
+0.6pp
Bengali
+110
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Epping (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 | 9,134 | 30.9% | 38.2% | 9,122 | 38.6% | 41.7% | +12 | -7.7pp |
| Mandarin | 6,829 | 23.1% | 12.4% | 4,885 | 20.6% | 10.5% | +1,944 | +2.5pp |
| Cantonese | 3,583 | 12.1% | 6.4% | 2,846 | 12.0% | 6.5% | +737 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 2,749 | 9.3% | 5.5% | 2,151 | 9.1% | 5.0% | +598 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 1,022 | 3.5% | 3.7% | 625 | 2.6% | 3.6% | +397 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 933 | 3.2% | 5.4% | 654 | 2.8% | 6.3% | +279 | +0.4pp |
| Tamil | 556 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 333 | 1.4% | 2.1% | +223 | +0.5pp |
| Telugu | 301 | 1.0% | 1.4% | 133 | 0.6% | 1.2% | +168 | +0.4pp |
| Urdu | 296 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 105 | 0.4% | 0.8% | +191 | +0.6pp |
| Bengali | 266 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 156 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +110 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 29,536 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,661 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,875 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.