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 Rydalmere, accounting for 47.6% (3,449 people). This share was higher than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 140 people, while its share fell by 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Rydalmere - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Rydalmere 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 Rydalmere, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
3,449
% of total
47.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
3,449
47.6%
-2.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
615
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
615
8.5%
-0.2pp
Korean
2021 count
559
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
559
7.7%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
451
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
451
6.2%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
398
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
398
5.5%
+1.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
263
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
263
3.6%
+0.6pp
Armenian
2021 count
141
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
141
1.9%
+0.5pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
140
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
140
1.9%
+0.6pp
Spanish
2021 count
116
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
116
1.6%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
92
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
92
1.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+140
-2.3pp
Mandarin
+41
-0.2pp
Korean
+47
0.0pp
Cantonese
-7
-0.7pp
Not stated
+110
+1.2pp
Arabic
+61
+0.6pp
Armenian
+45
+0.5pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+52
+0.6pp
Spanish
+15
+0.1pp
Hindi
-1
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Rydalmere. 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 | 3,449 | 47.6% | 38.2% | 3,309 | 49.9% | 41.7% | +140 | -2.3pp |
| Mandarin | 615 | 8.5% | 12.4% | 574 | 8.7% | 10.5% | +41 | -0.2pp |
| Korean | 559 | 7.7% | 5.5% | 512 | 7.7% | 5.0% | +47 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 451 | 6.2% | 6.4% | 458 | 6.9% | 6.5% | -7 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 398 | 5.5% | 5.4% | 288 | 4.3% | 6.3% | +110 | +1.2pp |
| Arabic | 263 | 3.6% | 3.2% | 202 | 3.0% | 3.2% | +61 | +0.6pp |
| Armenian | 141 | 1.9% | 0.4% | 96 | 1.4% | 0.3% | +45 | +0.5pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 140 | 1.9% | 1.4% | 88 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +52 | +0.6pp |
| Spanish | 116 | 1.6% | 0.8% | 101 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 92 | 1.3% | 3.7% | 93 | 1.4% | 3.6% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 7,253 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,637 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +616 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.