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 Parramatta, accounting for 24.4% (7,361 people). This share was lower than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,305 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Parramatta - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for 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 Parramatta, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
7,361
% of total
24.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
7,361
24.4%
+0.8pp
Hindi
2021 count
3,150
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
3,150
10.4%
+0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,659
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
2,659
8.8%
-2.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,042
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
2,042
6.8%
-1.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
1,593
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
1,593
5.3%
+3.7pp
Tamil
2021 count
1,520
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,520
5.0%
+0.6pp
Telugu
2021 count
1,302
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,302
4.3%
+0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,121
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,121
3.7%
-0.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,006
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,006
3.3%
-0.5pp
Gujarati
2021 count
808
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
808
2.7%
-1.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,305
+0.8pp
Hindi
+630
+0.6pp
Mandarin
-360
-2.9pp
Not stated
-67
-1.4pp
Nepali
+1,191
+3.7pp
Tamil
+387
+0.6pp
Telugu
+296
+0.4pp
Cantonese
-32
-0.8pp
Arabic
+35
-0.5pp
Gujarati
-250
-1.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for 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 | 7,361 | 24.4% | 38.2% | 6,056 | 23.6% | 41.7% | +1,305 | +0.8pp |
| Hindi | 3,150 | 10.4% | 3.7% | 2,520 | 9.8% | 3.6% | +630 | +0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 2,659 | 8.8% | 12.4% | 3,019 | 11.7% | 10.5% | -360 | -2.9pp |
| Not stated | 2,042 | 6.8% | 5.4% | 2,109 | 8.2% | 6.3% | -67 | -1.4pp |
| Nepali | 1,593 | 5.3% | 1.7% | 402 | 1.6% | 0.6% | +1,191 | +3.7pp |
| Tamil | 1,520 | 5.0% | 2.2% | 1,133 | 4.4% | 2.1% | +387 | +0.6pp |
| Telugu | 1,302 | 4.3% | 1.4% | 1,006 | 3.9% | 1.2% | +296 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 1,121 | 3.7% | 6.4% | 1,153 | 4.5% | 6.5% | -32 | -0.8pp |
| Arabic | 1,006 | 3.3% | 3.2% | 971 | 3.8% | 3.2% | +35 | -0.5pp |
| Gujarati | 808 | 2.7% | 1.7% | 1,058 | 4.1% | 2.2% | -250 | -1.4pp |
| Total | 30,199 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 25,699 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,500 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.