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 Ryde (C), accounting for 46.3% (59,738 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,294 people, while its share fell by 1.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Ryde (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Ryde (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

English

+4,294

-1.4pp

Mandarin

+3,025

+1.1pp

Cantonese

+1,137

+0.2pp

Korean

+353

-0.2pp

Not stated

+459

-0.1pp

Italian

-369

-0.5pp

Arabic

+135

-0.1pp

Hindi

+360

+0.1pp

Armenian

-78

-0.2pp

Persian (excluding Dari)

+516

+0.3pp

Data table

Language used at home for Ryde (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.

Language used at home for Ryde (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Language used at home for Ryde (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Sydney%Count%Greater Sydney%Countpp
English59,73846.3%57.3%55,44447.7%58.4%+4,294-1.4pp
Mandarin17,75713.8%5.0%14,73212.7%4.7%+3,025+1.1pp
Cantonese9,2977.2%2.8%8,1607.0%2.9%+1,137+0.2pp
Korean5,7924.5%1.1%5,4394.7%1.2%+353-0.2pp
Not stated5,4184.2%5.3%4,9594.3%5.8%+459-0.1pp
Italian2,2161.7%1.0%2,5852.2%1.3%-369-0.5pp
Arabic2,1261.6%4.2%1,9911.7%4.0%+135-0.1pp
Hindi2,0601.6%1.5%1,7001.5%1.3%+360+0.1pp
Armenian1,9121.5%0.2%1,9901.7%0.2%-78-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)1,6851.3%0.5%1,1691.0%0.4%+516+0.3pp
Total129,102100.0%100.0%116,263100.0%100.0%+12,8390.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.