Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Northmead, accounting for 62.8% (7,069 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Korean, which increased by 42 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Northmead - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Northmead in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northmead, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Arabic
Korean
Persian (excluding Dari)
Cantonese
Hindi
Punjabi
Spanish
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+16
-0.1pp
Not stated
+13
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+20
+0.2pp
Arabic
+14
+0.1pp
Korean
+42
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+15
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-10
-0.1pp
Hindi
+36
+0.4pp
Punjabi
-7
0.0pp
Spanish
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Northmead. 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 | 7,069 | 62.8% | 38.2% | 7,053 | 62.9% | 41.7% | +16 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 459 | 4.1% | 5.4% | 446 | 4.0% | 6.3% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 401 | 3.6% | 12.4% | 381 | 3.4% | 10.5% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 334 | 3.0% | 3.2% | 320 | 2.9% | 3.2% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 284 | 2.5% | 5.5% | 242 | 2.2% | 5.0% | +42 | +0.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 268 | 2.4% | 1.4% | 253 | 2.3% | 1.3% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 264 | 2.3% | 6.4% | 274 | 2.4% | 6.5% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 220 | 2.0% | 3.7% | 184 | 1.6% | 3.6% | +36 | +0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 132 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 139 | 1.2% | 1.3% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 131 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 133 | 1.2% | 0.9% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 11,263 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,206 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +57 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.