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 Middle Cove, accounting for 77.3% (1,018 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (55.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 16 people, while its share rose by 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Middle Cove - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Middle Cove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Willoughby (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Middle Cove, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
English
Cantonese
Mandarin
Not stated
Japanese
Italian
French
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-16
+0.8pp
Cantonese
+5
+0.5pp
Mandarin
+15
+1.2pp
Not stated
-39
-2.8pp
Japanese
-5
-0.3pp
Italian
+6
+0.5pp
French
-3
-0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Middle Cove. 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 | 1,018 | 77.3% | 55.5% | 1,034 | 76.5% | 55.0% | -16 | +0.8pp |
| Cantonese | 78 | 5.9% | 7.8% | 73 | 5.4% | 7.4% | +5 | +0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 58 | 4.4% | 12.9% | 43 | 3.2% | 12.1% | +15 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 22 | 1.7% | 3.4% | 61 | 4.5% | 4.8% | -39 | -2.8pp |
| Japanese | 17 | 1.3% | 2.4% | 22 | 1.6% | 2.4% | -5 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 16 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 10 | 0.7% | 1.0% | +6 | +0.5pp |
| French | 12 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 15 | 1.1% | 0.5% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 1,317 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,351 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -34 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.