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 North St Marys, accounting for 68.4% (2,808 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,057 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
North St Marys - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for North St Marys 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 North St Marys, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
2,808
% of total
68.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
2,808
68.4%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
584
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
584
14.2%
+6.8pp
Tagalog
2021 count
72
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
72
1.8%
+1.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
63
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
63
1.5%
-1.3pp
Samoan
2021 count
63
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
63
1.5%
-
Tongan
2021 count
41
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
41
1.0%
+0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
37
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
37
0.9%
-2.9pp
Hindi
2021 count
36
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
36
0.9%
+0.3pp
Croatian
2021 count
24
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
24
0.6%
+0.4pp
Bengali
2021 count
24
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
24
0.6%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,057
+1.0pp
Not stated
+391
+6.8pp
Tagalog
+68
+1.6pp
Arabic
-11
-1.3pp
Tongan
+37
+0.8pp
Mandarin
-62
-2.9pp
Hindi
+20
+0.3pp
Croatian
+19
+0.4pp
Bengali
+16
+0.3pp
Nepali
+18
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for North St Marys. 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 | 2,808 | 68.4% | 74.2% | 1,751 | 67.4% | 77.2% | +1,057 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 584 | 14.2% | 6.2% | 193 | 7.4% | 6.0% | +391 | +6.8pp |
| Tagalog | 72 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 4 | 0.2% | 1.1% | +68 | +1.6pp |
| Arabic | 63 | 1.5% | 1.8% | 74 | 2.8% | 1.6% | -11 | -1.3pp |
| Samoan | 63 | 1.5% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Tongan | 41 | 1.0% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +37 | +0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 37 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 99 | 3.8% | 0.7% | -62 | -2.9pp |
| Hindi | 36 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 16 | 0.6% | 0.9% | +20 | +0.3pp |
| Croatian | 24 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 5 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +19 | +0.4pp |
| Bengali | 24 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +16 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 4,104 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,599 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,505 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.