Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken 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
Not stated
Mandarin
Arabic
Punjabi
Greek
Hindi
Spanish
Malayalam
Filipino
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 spoken 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.