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 Waverley (NSW), accounting for 75.4% (3,173 people). This share was higher than Waverley (A) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 154 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Waverley (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Waverley (NSW) 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 Waverley (NSW), with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
English
2021 count
3,173
% of total
75.4%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
3,173
75.4%
+5.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
322
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
322
7.7%
-4.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
101
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
101
2.4%
+0.7pp
Italian
2021 count
79
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
79
1.9%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
77
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
77
1.8%
+0.3pp
Russian
2021 count
71
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
71
1.7%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
46
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
46
1.1%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
41
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
41
1.0%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
41
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
41
1.0%
-0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
37
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
37
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+154
+5.9pp
Not stated
-208
-4.5pp
Spanish
+26
+0.7pp
Italian
-2
0.0pp
French
+11
+0.3pp
Russian
-19
-0.4pp
Cantonese
+3
+0.1pp
Greek
+7
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-9
-0.2pp
Portuguese
-8
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Waverley (NSW). 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 | 3,173 | 75.4% | 73.1% | 3,019 | 69.5% | 68.7% | +154 | +5.9pp |
| Not stated | 322 | 7.7% | 5.9% | 530 | 12.2% | 10.4% | -208 | -4.5pp |
| Spanish | 101 | 2.4% | 2.9% | 75 | 1.7% | 2.1% | +26 | +0.7pp |
| Italian | 79 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 81 | 1.9% | 1.7% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| French | 77 | 1.8% | 1.9% | 66 | 1.5% | 1.8% | +11 | +0.3pp |
| Russian | 71 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 90 | 2.1% | 2.2% | -19 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 46 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 43 | 1.0% | 0.5% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 41 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 34 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 41 | 1.0% | 1.4% | 50 | 1.2% | 1.1% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 37 | 0.9% | 1.8% | 45 | 1.0% | 1.9% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,209 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,341 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -132 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.