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 South Penrith, accounting for 84.6% (10,142 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 67 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Penrith - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South 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 South Penrith, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
10,142
% of total
84.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
10,142
84.6%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
481
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
481
4.0%
-0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
124
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
124
1.0%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
115
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
115
1.0%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
89
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
89
0.7%
+0.5pp
Greek
2021 count
59
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
59
0.5%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
58
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
58
0.5%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
55
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
55
0.5%
+0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
43
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
43
0.4%
+0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
42
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
42
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+54
-1.1pp
Not stated
-54
-0.5pp
Mandarin
+35
+0.2pp
Arabic
+20
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+67
+0.5pp
Greek
-8
-0.1pp
Hindi
+14
+0.1pp
Spanish
+15
+0.2pp
Malayalam
+26
+0.3pp
Filipino
+20
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for South 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 | 10,142 | 84.6% | 74.2% | 10,088 | 85.7% | 77.2% | +54 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 481 | 4.0% | 6.2% | 535 | 4.5% | 6.0% | -54 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 124 | 1.0% | 0.8% | 89 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +35 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 115 | 1.0% | 1.8% | 95 | 0.8% | 1.6% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 89 | 0.7% | 1.4% | 22 | 0.2% | 0.9% | +67 | +0.5pp |
| Greek | 59 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 67 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 58 | 0.5% | 1.1% | 44 | 0.4% | 0.9% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 55 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 40 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 43 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +26 | +0.3pp |
| Filipino | 42 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 22 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 11,985 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,766 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +219 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.