Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Northbridge (NSW), accounting for 76.4% (4,968 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (55.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 71 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Northbridge (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Northbridge (NSW) 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 Northbridge (NSW), with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
English
Mandarin
Cantonese
Not stated
Japanese
Greek
Armenian
French
Italian
Spanish
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+22
-1.9pp
Mandarin
+71
+1.0pp
Cantonese
+26
+0.3pp
Not stated
-31
-0.6pp
Japanese
+5
0.0pp
Greek
+21
+0.3pp
Armenian
-4
0.0pp
French
+19
+0.2pp
Italian
-6
-0.1pp
Spanish
-1
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Northbridge (NSW). 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 | 4,968 | 76.4% | 55.5% | 4,946 | 78.3% | 55.0% | +22 | -1.9pp |
| Mandarin | 294 | 4.5% | 12.9% | 223 | 3.5% | 12.1% | +71 | +1.0pp |
| Cantonese | 240 | 3.7% | 7.8% | 214 | 3.4% | 7.4% | +26 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 208 | 3.2% | 3.4% | 239 | 3.8% | 4.8% | -31 | -0.6pp |
| Japanese | 142 | 2.2% | 2.4% | 137 | 2.2% | 2.4% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 92 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 71 | 1.1% | 0.5% | +21 | +0.3pp |
| Armenian | 56 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 60 | 0.9% | 1.1% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| French | 55 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 36 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +19 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 44 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 50 | 0.8% | 1.0% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 41 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 42 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,503 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,318 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +185 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.