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 Tamarama, accounting for 81.9% (1,203 people). This share was higher than Waverley (A) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 34 people and 9.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tamarama - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Tamarama 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 Tamarama, with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
English
2021 count
1,203
% of total
81.9%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
1,203
81.9%
+9.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
92
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-6.9pp
92
6.3%
-6.9pp
French
2021 count
36
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
36
2.5%
-1.2pp
Greek
2021 count
18
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
18
1.2%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
17
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
1.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
14
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
14
1.0%
-0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
11
0.7%
-0.5pp
Polish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
11
0.7%
+0.3pp
Russian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
10
0.7%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+34
+9.7pp
Not stated
-121
-6.9pp
French
-24
-1.2pp
Greek
-3
-0.1pp
Spanish
0
+0.1pp
German
-8
-0.4pp
Italian
-9
-0.5pp
Polish
+5
+0.3pp
Russian
+5
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Tamarama. 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 | 1,203 | 81.9% | 73.1% | 1,169 | 72.2% | 68.7% | +34 | +9.7pp |
| Not stated | 92 | 6.3% | 5.9% | 213 | 13.2% | 10.4% | -121 | -6.9pp |
| French | 36 | 2.5% | 1.9% | 60 | 3.7% | 1.8% | -24 | -1.2pp |
| Greek | 18 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 21 | 1.3% | 1.0% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 17 | 1.2% | 2.9% | 17 | 1.1% | 2.1% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| German | 14 | 1.0% | 0.8% | 22 | 1.4% | 1.0% | -8 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 11 | 0.7% | 1.6% | 20 | 1.2% | 1.7% | -9 | -0.5pp |
| Polish | 11 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Russian | 10 | 0.7% | 1.9% | 5 | 0.3% | 2.2% | +5 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 1,469 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,618 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -149 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.