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 Willoughby (C), accounting for 55.5% (41,979 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,113 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Willoughby (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Willoughby (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Willoughby (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
41,979
% of total
55.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
41,979
55.5%
+0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
9,751
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
9,751
12.9%
+0.8pp
Cantonese
2021 count
5,863
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
5,863
7.8%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,599
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
2,599
3.4%
-1.4pp
Japanese
2021 count
1,789
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,789
2.4%
0.0pp
Korean
2021 count
1,755
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,755
2.3%
-1.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
1,071
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,071
1.4%
+0.3pp
Armenian
2021 count
767
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
767
1.0%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
604
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
604
0.8%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
593
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
593
0.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,113
+0.5pp
Mandarin
+789
+0.8pp
Cantonese
+342
+0.4pp
Not stated
-942
-1.4pp
Japanese
+14
0.0pp
Korean
-680
-1.0pp
Hindi
+277
+0.3pp
Armenian
-25
-0.1pp
Spanish
+83
+0.1pp
Italian
-133
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Willoughby (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| English | 41,979 | 55.5% | 57.3% | 40,866 | 55.0% | 58.4% | +1,113 | +0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 9,751 | 12.9% | 5.0% | 8,962 | 12.1% | 4.7% | +789 | +0.8pp |
| Cantonese | 5,863 | 7.8% | 2.8% | 5,521 | 7.4% | 2.9% | +342 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 2,599 | 3.4% | 5.3% | 3,541 | 4.8% | 5.8% | -942 | -1.4pp |
| Japanese | 1,789 | 2.4% | 0.3% | 1,775 | 2.4% | 0.3% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Korean | 1,755 | 2.3% | 1.1% | 2,435 | 3.3% | 1.2% | -680 | -1.0pp |
| Hindi | 1,071 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 794 | 1.1% | 1.3% | +277 | +0.3pp |
| Armenian | 767 | 1.0% | 0.2% | 792 | 1.1% | 0.2% | -25 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 604 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 521 | 0.7% | 1.2% | +83 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 593 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 726 | 1.0% | 1.3% | -133 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 75,609 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 74,306 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,303 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.