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 East, accounting for 81.5% (1,509 people). This share was higher than Willoughby (C) (55.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 68 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Willoughby East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Willoughby East 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 Willoughby East, with comparison markers for Willoughby (C).
English
2021 count
1,509
% of total
81.5%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
1,509
81.5%
+1.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
64
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
64
3.5%
+1.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
62
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
62
3.3%
+0.3pp
Armenian
2021 count
28
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
28
1.5%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
23
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
23
1.2%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
23
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
23
1.2%
-2.2pp
Croatian
2021 count
20
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
20
1.1%
+0.3pp
Japanese
2021 count
15
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
15
0.8%
-0.4pp
French
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
11
0.6%
+0.2pp
Indonesian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
11
0.6%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+68
+1.9pp
Mandarin
+32
+1.7pp
Cantonese
+7
+0.3pp
Armenian
-2
-0.2pp
Italian
-10
-0.6pp
Not stated
-39
-2.2pp
Croatian
+6
+0.3pp
Japanese
-7
-0.4pp
French
+4
+0.2pp
Indonesian
+8
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Willoughby East. 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 | 1,509 | 81.5% | 55.5% | 1,441 | 79.6% | 55.0% | +68 | +1.9pp |
| Mandarin | 64 | 3.5% | 12.9% | 32 | 1.8% | 12.1% | +32 | +1.7pp |
| Cantonese | 62 | 3.3% | 7.8% | 55 | 3.0% | 7.4% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Armenian | 28 | 1.5% | 1.0% | 30 | 1.7% | 1.1% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 23 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 33 | 1.8% | 1.0% | -10 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 23 | 1.2% | 3.4% | 62 | 3.4% | 4.8% | -39 | -2.2pp |
| Croatian | 20 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 14 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Japanese | 15 | 0.8% | 2.4% | 22 | 1.2% | 2.4% | -7 | -0.4pp |
| French | 11 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 7 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Indonesian | 11 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 3 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +8 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 1,851 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,810 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +41 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.