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 Jamisontown, accounting for 82.7% (4,384 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 205 people and 1.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Jamisontown - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Jamisontown
Penrith (C)

English

2021 count

4,384

% of total

82.7%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

329

% of total

6.2%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Arabic

2021 count

56

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Punjabi

2021 count

38

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Urdu

2021 count

33

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Mandarin

2021 count

30

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Filipino

2021 count

27

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Greek

2021 count

26

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Hindi

2021 count

26

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tagalog

2021 count

24

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Jamisontown. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Language used at home for Jamisontown. 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
English4,38482.7%74.2%4,58983.8%77.2%-205-1.1pp
Not stated3296.2%6.2%3266.0%6.0%+3+0.2pp
Arabic561.1%1.8%430.8%1.6%+13+0.3pp
Punjabi380.7%1.4%370.7%0.9%+10.0pp
Urdu330.6%0.6%170.3%0.4%+16+0.3pp
Mandarin300.6%0.8%380.7%0.7%-8-0.1pp
Filipino270.5%0.7%210.4%0.5%+6+0.1pp
Greek260.5%0.5%230.4%0.6%+3+0.1pp
Hindi260.5%1.1%200.4%0.9%+6+0.1pp
Tagalog240.5%1.2%140.3%1.1%+10+0.2pp
Total5,301100.0%100.0%5,474100.0%100.0%-1730.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.