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 Strathfield (A), accounting for 29.2% (13,277 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 1,850 people and 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Strathfield (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Strathfield (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Strathfield (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
13,277
% of total
29.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13,277
29.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
4,716
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
4,716
10.4%
+0.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
3,046
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
3,046
6.7%
+3.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
2,992
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,992
6.6%
-0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
2,867
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
2,867
6.3%
-2.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,554
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
2,554
5.6%
-1.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
2,339
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,339
5.1%
+0.1pp
Tamil
2021 count
2,197
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,197
4.8%
-0.8pp
Telugu
2021 count
1,531
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,531
3.4%
+0.8pp
Hindi
2021 count
1,393
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,393
3.1%
-0.3pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,494
0.0pp
Mandarin
+680
+0.4pp
Nepali
+1,850
+3.7pp
Cantonese
+188
-0.4pp
Korean
-693
-2.5pp
Not stated
-106
-1.0pp
Arabic
+310
+0.1pp
Tamil
-64
-0.8pp
Telugu
+492
+0.8pp
Hindi
+24
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Strathfield (A). 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 | 13,277 | 29.2% | 57.3% | 11,783 | 29.2% | 58.4% | +1,494 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 4,716 | 10.4% | 5.0% | 4,036 | 10.0% | 4.7% | +680 | +0.4pp |
| Nepali | 3,046 | 6.7% | 1.2% | 1,196 | 3.0% | 0.7% | +1,850 | +3.7pp |
| Cantonese | 2,992 | 6.6% | 2.8% | 2,804 | 7.0% | 2.9% | +188 | -0.4pp |
| Korean | 2,867 | 6.3% | 1.1% | 3,560 | 8.8% | 1.2% | -693 | -2.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,554 | 5.6% | 5.3% | 2,660 | 6.6% | 5.8% | -106 | -1.0pp |
| Arabic | 2,339 | 5.1% | 4.2% | 2,029 | 5.0% | 4.0% | +310 | +0.1pp |
| Tamil | 2,197 | 4.8% | 0.7% | 2,261 | 5.6% | 0.6% | -64 | -0.8pp |
| Telugu | 1,531 | 3.4% | 0.4% | 1,039 | 2.6% | 0.2% | +492 | +0.8pp |
| Hindi | 1,393 | 3.1% | 1.5% | 1,369 | 3.4% | 1.3% | +24 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 45,529 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,307 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,222 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.