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 Cambridge Gardens, accounting for 87.5% (1,769 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 39 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cambridge Gardens - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cambridge Gardens in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cambridge Gardens, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
1,769
% of total
87.5%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
1,769
87.5%
-2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
65
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
65
3.2%
+0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
21
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
21
1.0%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
19
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
19
0.9%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
14
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.7%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
12
0.6%
+0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
11
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
11
0.5%
+0.2pp
Fijian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.5%
-
Indonesian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
10
0.5%
+0.3pp
Samoan
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-39
-2.6pp
Not stated
+9
+0.4pp
Spanish
+7
+0.3pp
Mandarin
-4
-0.2pp
Arabic
-1
0.0pp
Punjabi
+3
+0.2pp
Greek
+5
+0.2pp
Indonesian
+5
+0.3pp
Samoan
+4
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cambridge Gardens. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,769 | 87.5% | 74.2% | 1,808 | 90.1% | 77.2% | -39 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 65 | 3.2% | 6.2% | 56 | 2.8% | 6.0% | +9 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 14 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 19 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 23 | 1.1% | 0.7% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 14 | 0.7% | 1.8% | 15 | 0.7% | 1.6% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 12 | 0.6% | 1.4% | 9 | 0.4% | 0.9% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 11 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 6 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Fijian | 11 | 0.5% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Indonesian | 10 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Samoan | 10 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 6 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 2,021 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,007 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +14 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.