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 Castle Cove, accounting for 67.8% (1,790 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (55.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,503 people, while its share fell by 26.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Castle Cove - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Castle Cove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Castle Cove, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).

Castle Cove
Willoughby (C)

English

2021 count

1,790

% of total

67.8%

Change from 2016

-26.3pp

Cantonese

2021 count

229

% of total

8.7%

Change from 2016

-

Mandarin

2021 count

208

% of total

7.9%

Change from 2016

-

Armenian

2021 count

83

% of total

3.1%

Change from 2016

-

Not stated

2021 count

68

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

-1.7pp

Japanese

2021 count

39

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-

Korean

2021 count

32

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-

Italian

2021 count

26

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-

Persian (excluding Dari)

2021 count

17

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-

Croatian

2021 count

16

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for Castle Cove. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).

Language used at home for Castle Cove. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
Language used at home for Castle Cove. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Willoughby (C)%Count%Willoughby (C)%Countpp
English1,79067.8%55.5%28794.1%55.0%+1,503-26.3pp
Cantonese2298.7%7.8%--7.4%--
Mandarin2087.9%12.9%--12.1%--
Armenian833.1%1.0%--1.1%--
Not stated682.6%3.4%134.3%4.8%+55-1.7pp
Japanese391.5%2.4%--2.4%--
Korean321.2%2.3%--3.3%--
Italian261.0%0.8%--1.0%--
Persian (excluding Dari)170.6%0.6%--0.7%--
Croatian160.6%0.5%--0.5%--
Total2,642100.0%100.0%305100.0%100.0%+2,3370.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.