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 Colyton, accounting for 64.8% (5,689 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 136 people and 4.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Colyton - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Colyton 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 Colyton, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).

Colyton
Penrith (C)

English

2021 count

5,689

% of total

64.8%

Change from 2016

-4.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

650

% of total

7.4%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Arabic

2021 count

420

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Hindi

2021 count

196

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Samoan

2021 count

137

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tagalog

2021 count

136

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Turkish

2021 count

111

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Greek

2021 count

107

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Croatian

2021 count

86

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Filipino

2021 count

83

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Data table

Language used at home for Colyton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).

Language used at home for Colyton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Language used at home for Colyton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Penrith (C)%Count%Penrith (C)%Countpp
English5,68964.8%74.2%5,82569.4%77.2%-136-4.6pp
Not stated6507.4%6.2%4745.7%6.0%+176+1.7pp
Arabic4204.8%1.8%3564.2%1.6%+64+0.6pp
Hindi1962.2%1.1%1892.3%0.9%+7-0.1pp
Samoan1371.6%0.6%1271.5%0.6%+10+0.1pp
Tagalog1361.5%1.2%1411.7%1.1%-5-0.2pp
Turkish1111.3%0.4%720.9%0.3%+39+0.4pp
Greek1071.2%0.5%1071.3%0.6%0-0.1pp
Croatian861.0%0.4%1051.3%0.5%-19-0.3pp
Filipino830.9%0.7%280.3%0.5%+55+0.6pp
Total8,778100.0%100.0%8,388100.0%100.0%+3900.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.