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 St Clair (Penrith - NSW), accounting for 70.9% (14,150 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 350 people and 2 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

St Clair (Penrith - NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for St Clair (Penrith - NSW) 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 St Clair (Penrith - NSW), with comparison markers for Penrith (C).

St Clair (Penrith - NSW)
Penrith (C)

English

2021 count

14,150

% of total

70.9%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

919

% of total

4.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Arabic

2021 count

803

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Tagalog

2021 count

396

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Turkish

2021 count

238

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Samoan

2021 count

225

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Punjabi

2021 count

219

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Hindi

2021 count

207

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Spanish

2021 count

206

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Filipino

2021 count

204

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for St Clair (Penrith - NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).

Language used at home for St Clair (Penrith - NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Language used at home for St Clair (Penrith - NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Penrith (C)%Count%Penrith (C)%Countpp
English14,15070.9%74.2%14,50072.9%77.2%-350-2.0pp
Not stated9194.6%6.2%9334.7%6.0%-14-0.1pp
Arabic8034.0%1.8%7093.6%1.6%+94+0.4pp
Tagalog3962.0%1.2%3611.8%1.1%+35+0.2pp
Turkish2381.2%0.4%2241.1%0.3%+14+0.1pp
Samoan2251.1%0.6%1961.0%0.6%+29+0.1pp
Punjabi2191.1%1.4%1440.7%0.9%+75+0.4pp
Hindi2071.0%1.1%1870.9%0.9%+20+0.1pp
Spanish2061.0%0.6%2631.3%0.7%-57-0.3pp
Filipino2041.0%0.7%2131.1%0.5%-9-0.1pp
Total19,954100.0%100.0%19,881100.0%100.0%+730.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.