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 Wallacia (part), accounting for 85.3% (1,453 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (74.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,417 people, while its share fell by 14.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wallacia (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wallacia (part) 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 Wallacia (part), with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
English
2021 count
1,453
% of total
85.3%
Change from 2016
-14.7pp
1,453
85.3%
-14.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
85
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-
85
5.0%
-
Maltese
2021 count
35
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-
35
2.1%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
19
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
19
1.1%
-
Arabic
2021 count
17
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
17
1.0%
-
Italian
2021 count
14
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.8%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
13
0.8%
-
Greek
2021 count
10
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.6%
-
Spanish
2021 count
10
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.6%
-
Khmer
2021 count
10
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,417
-14.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wallacia (part). 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 | 1,453 | 85.3% | 74.2% | 36 | 100.0% | 77.2% | +1,417 | -14.7pp |
| Not stated | 85 | 5.0% | 6.2% | - | - | 6.0% | - | - |
| Maltese | 35 | 2.1% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 19 | 1.1% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Arabic | 17 | 1.0% | 1.8% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Italian | 14 | 0.8% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 13 | 0.8% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Greek | 10 | 0.6% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Spanish | 10 | 0.6% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Khmer | 10 | 0.6% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 1,703 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,667 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.