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 Old Toongabbie, accounting for 67.2% (2,190 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 31,132 people and 20.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Old Toongabbie - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Old Toongabbie 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 Old Toongabbie, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
2,190
% of total
67.2%
Change from 2016
-20.3pp
2,190
67.2%
-20.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
129
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
129
4.0%
+3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
126
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
126
3.9%
-2.4pp
Tamil
2021 count
125
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
125
3.8%
+3.7pp
Korean
2021 count
72
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
72
2.2%
+2.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
71
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
71
2.2%
+1.8pp
Gujarati
2021 count
48
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
48
1.5%
+1.5pp
Hindi
2021 count
42
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
42
1.3%
+1.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
39
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
39
1.2%
+1.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
30
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
30
0.9%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-31,132
-20.3pp
Arabic
+47
+3.8pp
Not stated
-2,285
-2.4pp
Tamil
+72
+3.7pp
Korean
+7
+2.0pp
Mandarin
-63
+1.8pp
Gujarati
+36
+1.5pp
Hindi
-22
+1.1pp
Cantonese
-49
+1.0pp
Punjabi
-38
+0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Old Toongabbie. 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 | 2,190 | 67.2% | 38.2% | 33,322 | 87.5% | 41.7% | -31,132 | -20.3pp |
| Arabic | 129 | 4.0% | 3.2% | 82 | 0.2% | 3.2% | +47 | +3.8pp |
| Not stated | 126 | 3.9% | 5.4% | 2,411 | 6.3% | 6.3% | -2,285 | -2.4pp |
| Tamil | 125 | 3.8% | 2.2% | 53 | 0.1% | 2.1% | +72 | +3.7pp |
| Korean | 72 | 2.2% | 5.5% | 65 | 0.2% | 5.0% | +7 | +2.0pp |
| Mandarin | 71 | 2.2% | 12.4% | 134 | 0.4% | 10.5% | -63 | +1.8pp |
| Gujarati | 48 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 12 | 0.0% | 2.2% | +36 | +1.5pp |
| Hindi | 42 | 1.3% | 3.7% | 64 | 0.2% | 3.6% | -22 | +1.1pp |
| Cantonese | 39 | 1.2% | 6.4% | 88 | 0.2% | 6.5% | -49 | +1.0pp |
| Punjabi | 30 | 0.9% | 1.3% | 68 | 0.2% | 1.3% | -38 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 3,257 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38,089 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -34,832 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.