Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Chatswood West (part), accounting for 61.6% (927 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (55.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 67 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Chatswood West (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Chatswood West (part) 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 Chatswood West (part), with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
English
Mandarin
Cantonese
Not stated
Persian (excluding Dari)
Korean
Greek
French
German
Italian
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-67
-5.3pp
Mandarin
+37
+2.3pp
Cantonese
+32
+2.1pp
Not stated
-18
-1.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+8
+0.6pp
Korean
-3
-0.2pp
Greek
0
0.0pp
French
-1
0.0pp
German
-3
-0.2pp
Italian
+5
+0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Chatswood West (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Willoughby (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | % | Willoughby (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 927 | 61.6% | 55.5% | 994 | 66.9% | 55.0% | -67 | -5.3pp |
| Mandarin | 202 | 13.4% | 12.9% | 165 | 11.1% | 12.1% | +37 | +2.3pp |
| Cantonese | 98 | 6.5% | 7.8% | 66 | 4.4% | 7.4% | +32 | +2.1pp |
| Not stated | 28 | 1.9% | 3.4% | 46 | 3.1% | 4.8% | -18 | -1.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 25 | 1.7% | 0.6% | 17 | 1.1% | 0.7% | +8 | +0.6pp |
| Korean | 25 | 1.7% | 2.3% | 28 | 1.9% | 3.3% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 17 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 17 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| French | 16 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 17 | 1.1% | 0.5% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| German | 14 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 17 | 1.1% | 0.4% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 12 | 0.8% | 0.8% | 7 | 0.5% | 1.0% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 1,505 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,485 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +20 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.