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 Mulgoa, accounting for 86.9% (1,753 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 193 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mulgoa - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mulgoa 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 Mulgoa, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
1,753
% of total
86.9%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
1,753
86.9%
+4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
60
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
60
3.0%
-3.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
36
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
36
1.8%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
25
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25
1.2%
0.0pp
Maltese
2021 count
21
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
21
1.0%
-0.6pp
Croatian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.8%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
16
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
16
0.8%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+193
+4.4pp
Not stated
-55
-3.1pp
Arabic
-3
-0.3pp
Italian
+2
0.0pp
Maltese
-10
-0.6pp
Croatian
0
0.0pp
Punjabi
+5
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mulgoa. 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 | 1,753 | 86.9% | 74.2% | 1,560 | 82.5% | 77.2% | +193 | +4.4pp |
| Not stated | 60 | 3.0% | 6.2% | 115 | 6.1% | 6.0% | -55 | -3.1pp |
| Arabic | 36 | 1.8% | 1.8% | 39 | 2.1% | 1.6% | -3 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 25 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 23 | 1.2% | 0.7% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Maltese | 21 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 31 | 1.6% | 0.7% | -10 | -0.6pp |
| Croatian | 16 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 16 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 16 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 11 | 0.6% | 0.9% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 2,017 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,891 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +126 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.