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 Emu Plains, accounting for 88.9% (7,231 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,104 people and 49.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Emu Plains - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Emu Plains 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 Emu Plains, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
7,231
% of total
88.9%
Change from 2016
+49.2pp
7,231
88.9%
+49.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
355
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
355
4.4%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
59
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
59
0.7%
-3.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
35
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
35
0.4%
-5.6pp
Hindi
2021 count
26
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
26
0.3%
-0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
23
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-10.1pp
23
0.3%
-10.1pp
Croatian
2021 count
21
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
21
0.3%
-0.6pp
Tagalog
2021 count
21
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
21
0.3%
-0.4pp
Thai
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
20
0.2%
-0.4pp
German
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,104
+49.2pp
Not stated
+232
+0.1pp
Greek
-61
-3.5pp
Arabic
-135
-5.6pp
Hindi
-6
-0.8pp
Mandarin
-272
-10.1pp
Croatian
-5
-0.6pp
Tagalog
+1
-0.4pp
Thai
+2
-0.4pp
German
+16
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Emu Plains. 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 | 7,231 | 88.9% | 74.2% | 1,127 | 39.7% | 77.2% | +6,104 | +49.2pp |
| Not stated | 355 | 4.4% | 6.2% | 123 | 4.3% | 6.0% | +232 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 59 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 120 | 4.2% | 0.6% | -61 | -3.5pp |
| Arabic | 35 | 0.4% | 1.8% | 170 | 6.0% | 1.6% | -135 | -5.6pp |
| Hindi | 26 | 0.3% | 1.1% | 32 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -6 | -0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.3% | 0.8% | 295 | 10.4% | 0.7% | -272 | -10.1pp |
| Croatian | 21 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 26 | 0.9% | 0.5% | -5 | -0.6pp |
| Tagalog | 21 | 0.3% | 1.2% | 20 | 0.7% | 1.1% | +1 | -0.4pp |
| Thai | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +2 | -0.4pp |
| German | 19 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 8,134 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,842 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,292 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.