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 Harris Park, accounting for 18.1% (909 people). This share was lower than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Gujarati, which decreased by 311 people and 3.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Harris Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Harris Park 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 Harris Park, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).

Harris Park
Parramatta (C)

English

2021 count

909

% of total

18.1%

Change from 2016

+2.8pp

Gujarati

2021 count

764

% of total

15.2%

Change from 2016

-3.5pp

Hindi

2021 count

584

% of total

11.6%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

362

% of total

7.2%

Change from 2016

-2.2pp

Punjabi

2021 count

322

% of total

6.4%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Nepali

2021 count

288

% of total

5.7%

Change from 2016

+4.6pp

Telugu

2021 count

282

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Arabic

2021 count

236

% of total

4.7%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Mandarin

2021 count

197

% of total

3.9%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Tamil

2021 count

136

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Data table

Language used at home for Harris Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).

Language used at home for Harris Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
Language used at home for Harris Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Parramatta (C)%Count%Parramatta (C)%Countpp
English90918.1%38.2%88215.3%41.7%+27+2.8pp
Gujarati76415.2%1.7%1,07518.7%2.2%-311-3.5pp
Hindi58411.6%3.7%68111.8%3.6%-97-0.2pp
Not stated3627.2%5.4%5409.4%6.3%-178-2.2pp
Punjabi3226.4%1.3%3405.9%1.3%-18+0.5pp
Nepali2885.7%1.7%611.1%0.6%+227+4.6pp
Telugu2825.6%1.4%2794.8%1.2%+3+0.8pp
Arabic2364.7%3.2%3025.2%3.2%-66-0.5pp
Mandarin1973.9%12.4%2253.9%10.5%-280.0pp
Tamil1362.7%2.2%1813.1%2.1%-45-0.4pp
Total5,025100.0%100.0%5,759100.0%100.0%-7340.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.