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 Ermington, accounting for 47.5% (6,013 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 406 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ermington - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ermington 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 Ermington, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
6,013
% of total
47.5%
Change from 2016
-6.9pp
6,013
47.5%
-6.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,173
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
1,173
9.3%
+2.1pp
Korean
2021 count
929
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
929
7.3%
+2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
725
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
725
5.7%
+1.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
713
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
713
5.6%
+0.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
683
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
683
5.4%
-0.4pp
Armenian
2021 count
291
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
291
2.3%
+0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
183
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
183
1.4%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
125
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
125
1.0%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
118
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
118
0.9%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+186
-6.9pp
Mandarin
+406
+2.1pp
Korean
+377
+2.1pp
Not stated
+242
+1.2pp
Cantonese
+190
+0.7pp
Arabic
+64
-0.4pp
Armenian
+67
+0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+55
+0.2pp
Hindi
+18
0.0pp
Italian
-14
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ermington. 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 | 6,013 | 47.5% | 38.2% | 5,827 | 54.4% | 41.7% | +186 | -6.9pp |
| Mandarin | 1,173 | 9.3% | 12.4% | 767 | 7.2% | 10.5% | +406 | +2.1pp |
| Korean | 929 | 7.3% | 5.5% | 552 | 5.2% | 5.0% | +377 | +2.1pp |
| Not stated | 725 | 5.7% | 5.4% | 483 | 4.5% | 6.3% | +242 | +1.2pp |
| Cantonese | 713 | 5.6% | 6.4% | 523 | 4.9% | 6.5% | +190 | +0.7pp |
| Arabic | 683 | 5.4% | 3.2% | 619 | 5.8% | 3.2% | +64 | -0.4pp |
| Armenian | 291 | 2.3% | 0.4% | 224 | 2.1% | 0.3% | +67 | +0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 183 | 1.4% | 1.4% | 128 | 1.2% | 1.3% | +55 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 125 | 1.0% | 3.7% | 107 | 1.0% | 3.6% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 118 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 132 | 1.2% | 0.6% | -14 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 12,668 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,706 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,962 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.