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 Penrith, accounting for 72.1% (12,922 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 12,669 people, while its share fell by 24.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Penrith - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Penrith 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 Penrith, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
12,922
% of total
72.1%
Change from 2016
-24.8pp
12,922
72.1%
-24.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,772
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
1,772
9.9%
+6.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
313
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
313
1.7%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
175
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
175
1.0%
-
Hindi
2021 count
166
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
166
0.9%
-
Korean
2021 count
146
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
146
0.8%
-
Arabic
2021 count
136
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
136
0.8%
-
Spanish
2021 count
125
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
125
0.7%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
125
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
125
0.7%
-
Nepali
2021 count
123
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
123
0.7%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+12,669
-24.8pp
Not stated
+1,764
+6.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Penrith. 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 | 12,922 | 72.1% | 74.2% | 253 | 96.9% | 77.2% | +12,669 | -24.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,772 | 9.9% | 6.2% | 8 | 3.1% | 6.0% | +1,764 | +6.8pp |
| Mandarin | 313 | 1.7% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 175 | 1.0% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Hindi | 166 | 0.9% | 1.1% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Korean | 146 | 0.8% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Arabic | 136 | 0.8% | 1.8% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Spanish | 125 | 0.7% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 125 | 0.7% | 1.4% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Nepali | 123 | 0.7% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 17,930 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 261 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +17,669 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.