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 Oatlands (NSW), accounting for 51.8% (3,026 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 58 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Oatlands (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Oatlands (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 Oatlands (NSW), with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
3,026
% of total
51.8%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
3,026
51.8%
-1.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
523
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
523
8.9%
+0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
482
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
482
8.2%
+0.7pp
Korean
2021 count
339
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
339
5.8%
-0.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
331
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
331
5.7%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
215
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
215
3.7%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
104
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
104
1.8%
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
69
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
69
1.2%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
60
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
60
1.0%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
51
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
51
0.9%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-4
-1.9pp
Arabic
+52
+0.5pp
Mandarin
+58
+0.7pp
Korean
-37
-0.9pp
Cantonese
+8
0.0pp
Not stated
-5
-0.2pp
Hindi
+1
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+26
+0.4pp
Greek
+4
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+16
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Oatlands (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 | 3,026 | 51.8% | 38.2% | 3,030 | 53.7% | 41.7% | -4 | -1.9pp |
| Arabic | 523 | 8.9% | 3.2% | 471 | 8.4% | 3.2% | +52 | +0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 482 | 8.2% | 12.4% | 424 | 7.5% | 10.5% | +58 | +0.7pp |
| Korean | 339 | 5.8% | 5.5% | 376 | 6.7% | 5.0% | -37 | -0.9pp |
| Cantonese | 331 | 5.7% | 6.4% | 323 | 5.7% | 6.5% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 215 | 3.7% | 5.4% | 220 | 3.9% | 6.3% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 104 | 1.8% | 3.7% | 103 | 1.8% | 3.6% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 69 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 43 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +26 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 60 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 56 | 1.0% | 0.6% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 51 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 35 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +16 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 5,845 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,639 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +206 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.