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 Mount Vernon, accounting for 59.8% (740 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 65 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mount Vernon - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
740
% of total
59.8%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
740
59.8%
+2.1pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
80
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
80
6.5%
+2.0pp
Italian
2021 count
72
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
72
5.8%
-2.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
60
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
60
4.9%
+2.9pp
Croatian
2021 count
51
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
51
4.1%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
42
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
42
3.4%
-4.8pp
Maltese
2021 count
30
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
30
2.4%
-0.7pp
Serbian
2021 count
28
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
28
2.3%
+0.5pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
27
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
27
2.2%
+1.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
12
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
12
1.0%
-1.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+65
+2.1pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+27
+2.0pp
Italian
-28
-2.7pp
Arabic
+37
+2.9pp
Croatian
+7
+0.3pp
Not stated
-54
-4.8pp
Maltese
-6
-0.7pp
Serbian
+7
+0.5pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+16
+1.3pp
Vietnamese
-13
-1.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mount Vernon. 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 | 740 | 59.8% | 74.2% | 675 | 57.7% | 77.2% | +65 | +2.1pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 80 | 6.5% | 0.2% | 53 | 4.5% | 0.1% | +27 | +2.0pp |
| Italian | 72 | 5.8% | 0.5% | 100 | 8.5% | 0.7% | -28 | -2.7pp |
| Arabic | 60 | 4.9% | 1.8% | 23 | 2.0% | 1.6% | +37 | +2.9pp |
| Croatian | 51 | 4.1% | 0.4% | 44 | 3.8% | 0.5% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 42 | 3.4% | 6.2% | 96 | 8.2% | 6.0% | -54 | -4.8pp |
| Maltese | 30 | 2.4% | 0.6% | 36 | 3.1% | 0.7% | -6 | -0.7pp |
| Serbian | 28 | 2.3% | 0.2% | 21 | 1.8% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.5pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 27 | 2.2% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.9% | 0.1% | +16 | +1.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 12 | 1.0% | 0.3% | 25 | 2.1% | 0.2% | -13 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 1,237 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,170 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +67 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.