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 Marys (NSW), accounting for 59% (7,819 people). This share was lower than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 95 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
St Marys (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for St Marys (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 Marys (NSW), with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
7,819
% of total
59.0%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
7,819
59.0%
-4.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,369
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
1,369
10.3%
+1.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
379
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
379
2.9%
+0.6pp
Tagalog
2021 count
330
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
330
2.5%
0.0pp
Samoan
2021 count
254
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
254
1.9%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
213
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
213
1.6%
-0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
180
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
180
1.4%
+0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
157
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
157
1.2%
-0.1pp
Tamil
2021 count
151
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
151
1.1%
+0.3pp
Urdu
2021 count
139
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
139
1.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+64
-4.6pp
Not stated
+336
+1.8pp
Arabic
+95
+0.6pp
Tagalog
+20
0.0pp
Samoan
+39
+0.1pp
Hindi
+1
-0.1pp
Filipino
+62
+0.4pp
Punjabi
-5
-0.1pp
Tamil
+56
+0.3pp
Urdu
+16
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for St Marys (NSW). 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 | 7,819 | 59.0% | 74.2% | 7,755 | 63.6% | 77.2% | +64 | -4.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,369 | 10.3% | 6.2% | 1,033 | 8.5% | 6.0% | +336 | +1.8pp |
| Arabic | 379 | 2.9% | 1.8% | 284 | 2.3% | 1.6% | +95 | +0.6pp |
| Tagalog | 330 | 2.5% | 1.2% | 310 | 2.5% | 1.1% | +20 | 0.0pp |
| Samoan | 254 | 1.9% | 0.6% | 215 | 1.8% | 0.6% | +39 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 213 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 212 | 1.7% | 0.9% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| Filipino | 180 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 118 | 1.0% | 0.5% | +62 | +0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 157 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 162 | 1.3% | 0.9% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Tamil | 151 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 95 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +56 | +0.3pp |
| Urdu | 139 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 123 | 1.0% | 0.4% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 13,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,195 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,063 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.