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 Telopea, accounting for 36.4% (1,944 people). This share was lower than Parramatta (C) (38.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 172 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Telopea - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Telopea 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 Telopea, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).
English
2021 count
1,944
% of total
36.4%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
1,944
36.4%
-4.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
890
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
890
16.7%
+2.4pp
Korean
2021 count
516
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
516
9.7%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
471
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
471
8.8%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
323
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
323
6.0%
+0.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
192
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
192
3.6%
+0.8pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
105
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
105
2.0%
-0.5pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
57
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
57
1.1%
+0.5pp
Tamil
2021 count
54
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
54
1.0%
+0.3pp
Armenian
2021 count
53
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
53
1.0%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-172
-4.5pp
Mandarin
+148
+2.4pp
Korean
+2
-0.2pp
Cantonese
+4
-0.2pp
Not stated
+58
+0.9pp
Arabic
+49
+0.8pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
-27
-0.5pp
Vietnamese
+28
+0.5pp
Tamil
+17
+0.3pp
Armenian
+39
+0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Telopea. 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 | 1,944 | 36.4% | 38.2% | 2,116 | 40.9% | 41.7% | -172 | -4.5pp |
| Mandarin | 890 | 16.7% | 12.4% | 742 | 14.3% | 10.5% | +148 | +2.4pp |
| Korean | 516 | 9.7% | 5.5% | 514 | 9.9% | 5.0% | +2 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 471 | 8.8% | 6.4% | 467 | 9.0% | 6.5% | +4 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 323 | 6.0% | 5.4% | 265 | 5.1% | 6.3% | +58 | +0.9pp |
| Arabic | 192 | 3.6% | 3.2% | 143 | 2.8% | 3.2% | +49 | +0.8pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 105 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 132 | 2.5% | 1.3% | -27 | -0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 57 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 29 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +28 | +0.5pp |
| Tamil | 54 | 1.0% | 2.2% | 37 | 0.7% | 2.1% | +17 | +0.3pp |
| Armenian | 53 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +39 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 5,339 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,175 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +164 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.