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 North Willoughby, accounting for 64.6% (2,678 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (55.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 32 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
North Willoughby - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for North Willoughby 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 North Willoughby, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
English
2021 count
2,678
% of total
64.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,678
64.6%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
295
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
295
7.1%
+0.8pp
Cantonese
2021 count
219
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
219
5.3%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
117
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
117
2.8%
-1.4pp
Armenian
2021 count
104
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
104
2.5%
-0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
86
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
86
2.1%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
63
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
63
1.5%
-0.4pp
Croatian
2021 count
58
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
58
1.4%
+0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
57
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
57
1.4%
+0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
42
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
42
1.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-12
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+32
+0.8pp
Cantonese
+6
+0.2pp
Not stated
-60
-1.4pp
Armenian
-3
-0.1pp
Japanese
+6
+0.2pp
Italian
-18
-0.4pp
Croatian
+4
+0.1pp
Korean
+22
+0.6pp
Greek
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for North Willoughby. 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 | 2,678 | 64.6% | 55.5% | 2,690 | 64.4% | 55.0% | -12 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 295 | 7.1% | 12.9% | 263 | 6.3% | 12.1% | +32 | +0.8pp |
| Cantonese | 219 | 5.3% | 7.8% | 213 | 5.1% | 7.4% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 117 | 2.8% | 3.4% | 177 | 4.2% | 4.8% | -60 | -1.4pp |
| Armenian | 104 | 2.5% | 1.0% | 107 | 2.6% | 1.1% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Japanese | 86 | 2.1% | 2.4% | 80 | 1.9% | 2.4% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 63 | 1.5% | 0.8% | 81 | 1.9% | 1.0% | -18 | -0.4pp |
| Croatian | 58 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 54 | 1.3% | 0.5% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 57 | 1.4% | 2.3% | 35 | 0.8% | 3.3% | +22 | +0.6pp |
| Greek | 42 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 44 | 1.1% | 0.5% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,147 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,176 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -29 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.