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 Cranebrook, accounting for 85.6% (13,492 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 54 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cranebrook - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cranebrook 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 Cranebrook, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
13,492
% of total
85.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
13,492
85.6%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
758
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
758
4.8%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
118
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
118
0.7%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
95
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
95
0.6%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
89
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
89
0.6%
-0.1pp
Maltese
2021 count
84
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
84
0.5%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
80
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
80
0.5%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
70
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
70
0.4%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
65
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
65
0.4%
0.0pp
Samoan
2021 count
56
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
56
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-54
-0.3pp
Not stated
-37
-0.2pp
Arabic
+19
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+8
0.0pp
Spanish
-24
-0.1pp
Maltese
-14
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+24
+0.1pp
Greek
+14
0.0pp
Hindi
+7
0.0pp
Samoan
+25
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cranebrook. 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 | 13,492 | 85.6% | 74.2% | 13,546 | 85.9% | 77.2% | -54 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 758 | 4.8% | 6.2% | 795 | 5.0% | 6.0% | -37 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 118 | 0.7% | 1.8% | 99 | 0.6% | 1.6% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 95 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 87 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 89 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 113 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -24 | -0.1pp |
| Maltese | 84 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 98 | 0.6% | 0.7% | -14 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 80 | 0.5% | 1.2% | 56 | 0.4% | 1.1% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 70 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 56 | 0.4% | 0.6% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 65 | 0.4% | 1.1% | 58 | 0.4% | 0.9% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Samoan | 56 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 31 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +25 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 15,769 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,767 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.