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 Orchard Hills, accounting for 73.7% (1,317 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 20 people, while its share rose by 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Orchard Hills - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Orchard Hills 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 Orchard Hills, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
1,317
% of total
73.7%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
1,317
73.7%
+2.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
91
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
91
5.1%
+0.6pp
Maltese
2021 count
89
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
89
5.0%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
49
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
49
2.7%
-0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
49
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
49
2.7%
-2.0pp
Greek
2021 count
31
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
31
1.7%
-0.3pp
Croatian
2021 count
25
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
25
1.4%
+1.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
22
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
22
1.2%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
12
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
12
0.7%
-0.5pp
Turkish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-20
+2.7pp
Arabic
+7
+0.6pp
Maltese
-4
+0.1pp
Italian
-19
-0.9pp
Not stated
-40
-2.0pp
Greek
-6
-0.3pp
Croatian
+17
+1.0pp
Punjabi
+4
+0.2pp
Hindi
-10
-0.5pp
Turkish
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Orchard Hills. 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 | 1,317 | 73.7% | 74.2% | 1,337 | 71.0% | 77.2% | -20 | +2.7pp |
| Arabic | 91 | 5.1% | 1.8% | 84 | 4.5% | 1.6% | +7 | +0.6pp |
| Maltese | 89 | 5.0% | 0.6% | 93 | 4.9% | 0.7% | -4 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 49 | 2.7% | 0.5% | 68 | 3.6% | 0.7% | -19 | -0.9pp |
| Not stated | 49 | 2.7% | 6.2% | 89 | 4.7% | 6.0% | -40 | -2.0pp |
| Greek | 31 | 1.7% | 0.5% | 37 | 2.0% | 0.6% | -6 | -0.3pp |
| Croatian | 25 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 8 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +17 | +1.0pp |
| Punjabi | 22 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 18 | 1.0% | 0.9% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 12 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 22 | 1.2% | 0.9% | -10 | -0.5pp |
| Turkish | 11 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 1,786 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,883 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -97 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.