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 Dover Heights, accounting for 76.7% (3,097 people). This share was higher than Waverley (A) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 251 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dover Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dover Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dover Heights, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
English
2021 count
3,097
% of total
76.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
3,097
76.7%
+1.6pp
Russian
2021 count
134
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
134
3.3%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
118
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
118
2.9%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
117
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
117
2.9%
-2.0pp
Hebrew
2021 count
116
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
116
2.9%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
96
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
96
2.4%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
42
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
42
1.0%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
37
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
37
0.9%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
36
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
36
0.9%
-0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
31
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+251
+1.6pp
Russian
+19
+0.3pp
Mandarin
+35
+0.7pp
Not stated
-67
-2.0pp
Hebrew
+9
+0.1pp
Greek
+7
+0.1pp
French
+11
+0.2pp
Spanish
+10
+0.2pp
Italian
-8
-0.3pp
Cantonese
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Dover Heights. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,097 | 76.7% | 73.1% | 2,846 | 75.1% | 68.7% | +251 | +1.6pp |
| Russian | 134 | 3.3% | 1.9% | 115 | 3.0% | 2.2% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 118 | 2.9% | 1.4% | 83 | 2.2% | 1.1% | +35 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 117 | 2.9% | 5.9% | 184 | 4.9% | 10.4% | -67 | -2.0pp |
| Hebrew | 116 | 2.9% | 1.3% | 107 | 2.8% | 1.4% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 96 | 2.4% | 1.1% | 89 | 2.3% | 1.0% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| French | 42 | 1.0% | 1.9% | 31 | 0.8% | 1.8% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 37 | 0.9% | 2.9% | 27 | 0.7% | 2.1% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 36 | 0.9% | 1.6% | 44 | 1.2% | 1.7% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 31 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 26 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,037 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,788 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +249 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.