Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 decreased by 115 people, while its share rose by 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Emu Plains - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken 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
Not stated
Greek
Arabic
Hindi
Mandarin
Croatian
Tagalog
Thai
German
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-115
+1.5pp
Not stated
-152
-1.6pp
Greek
-21
-0.3pp
Arabic
-7
-0.1pp
Hindi
+16
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-2
0.0pp
Croatian
-5
0.0pp
Tagalog
-1
0.0pp
Thai
+12
+0.1pp
German
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 7,346 | 87.4% | 77.2% | -115 | +1.5pp |
| Not stated | 355 | 4.4% | 6.2% | 507 | 6.0% | 6.0% | -152 | -1.6pp |
| Greek | 59 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 80 | 1.0% | 0.6% | -21 | -0.3pp |
| Arabic | 35 | 0.4% | 1.8% | 42 | 0.5% | 1.6% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 26 | 0.3% | 1.1% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.9% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.3% | 0.8% | 25 | 0.3% | 0.7% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Croatian | 21 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 26 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 21 | 0.3% | 1.2% | 22 | 0.3% | 1.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| German | 19 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 17 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 8,134 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,404 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -270 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.