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 Randwick (C), accounting for 66.1% (88,767 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which decreased by 5,179 people and 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Randwick (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Randwick (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Randwick (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
88,767
% of total
66.1%
Change from 2016
+6.4pp
88,767
66.1%
+6.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,158
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
8,158
6.1%
-2.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
4,974
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
4,974
3.7%
-3.5pp
Greek
2021 count
4,075
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
4,075
3.0%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
3,120
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
3,120
2.3%
-0.7pp
Spanish
2021 count
2,534
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
2,534
1.9%
+0.3pp
French
2021 count
2,424
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
2,424
1.8%
+0.4pp
Portuguese
2021 count
2,307
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
2,307
1.7%
+0.6pp
Indonesian
2021 count
1,866
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,866
1.4%
-0.2pp
Russian
2021 count
1,673
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,673
1.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,814
+6.4pp
Not stated
-3,436
-2.1pp
Mandarin
-5,179
-3.5pp
Greek
-445
-0.2pp
Cantonese
-1,044
-0.7pp
Spanish
+239
+0.3pp
French
+512
+0.4pp
Portuguese
+809
+0.6pp
Indonesian
-453
-0.2pp
Russian
-135
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Randwick (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| English | 88,767 | 66.1% | 57.3% | 83,953 | 59.7% | 58.4% | +4,814 | +6.4pp |
| Not stated | 8,158 | 6.1% | 5.3% | 11,594 | 8.2% | 5.8% | -3,436 | -2.1pp |
| Mandarin | 4,974 | 3.7% | 5.0% | 10,153 | 7.2% | 4.7% | -5,179 | -3.5pp |
| Greek | 4,075 | 3.0% | 1.4% | 4,520 | 3.2% | 1.6% | -445 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 3,120 | 2.3% | 2.8% | 4,164 | 3.0% | 2.9% | -1,044 | -0.7pp |
| Spanish | 2,534 | 1.9% | 1.2% | 2,295 | 1.6% | 1.2% | +239 | +0.3pp |
| French | 2,424 | 1.8% | 0.4% | 1,912 | 1.4% | 0.4% | +512 | +0.4pp |
| Portuguese | 2,307 | 1.7% | 0.5% | 1,498 | 1.1% | 0.4% | +809 | +0.6pp |
| Indonesian | 1,866 | 1.4% | 0.6% | 2,319 | 1.6% | 0.6% | -453 | -0.2pp |
| Russian | 1,673 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 1,808 | 1.3% | 0.4% | -135 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 134,204 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 140,622 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -6,418 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.