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 North Parramatta, accounting for 47% (5,652 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 213 people, while its share rose by 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
North Parramatta - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for North Parramatta 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 North Parramatta, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
5,652
% of total
47.0%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
5,652
47.0%
+3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
810
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
810
6.7%
-2.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
714
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
714
5.9%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
647
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
647
5.4%
-0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
420
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
420
3.5%
+0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
357
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
357
3.0%
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
337
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
337
2.8%
-0.6pp
Korean
2021 count
266
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
266
2.2%
-0.6pp
Tagalog
2021 count
153
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
153
1.3%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
149
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
149
1.2%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-213
+3.1pp
Not stated
-359
-2.0pp
Arabic
-28
+0.3pp
Mandarin
-126
-0.4pp
Hindi
-14
+0.3pp
Cantonese
-74
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
-119
-0.6pp
Korean
-108
-0.6pp
Tagalog
-14
+0.1pp
Punjabi
-117
-0.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for North Parramatta. 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 | 5,652 | 47.0% | 38.2% | 5,865 | 43.9% | 41.7% | -213 | +3.1pp |
| Not stated | 810 | 6.7% | 5.4% | 1,169 | 8.7% | 6.3% | -359 | -2.0pp |
| Arabic | 714 | 5.9% | 3.2% | 742 | 5.6% | 3.2% | -28 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 647 | 5.4% | 12.4% | 773 | 5.8% | 10.5% | -126 | -0.4pp |
| Hindi | 420 | 3.5% | 3.7% | 434 | 3.2% | 3.6% | -14 | +0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 357 | 3.0% | 6.4% | 431 | 3.2% | 6.5% | -74 | -0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 337 | 2.8% | 1.4% | 456 | 3.4% | 1.3% | -119 | -0.6pp |
| Korean | 266 | 2.2% | 5.5% | 374 | 2.8% | 5.0% | -108 | -0.6pp |
| Tagalog | 153 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 167 | 1.2% | 0.8% | -14 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 149 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 266 | 2.0% | 1.3% | -117 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 12,032 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,366 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -1,334 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.