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 Wollondilly (A), accounting for 89.7% (48,361 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,130 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wollondilly (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wollondilly (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wollondilly (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
48,361
% of total
89.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
48,361
89.7%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,525
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,525
4.7%
-0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
359
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
359
0.7%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
358
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
358
0.7%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
266
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
266
0.5%
+0.1pp
Maltese
2021 count
202
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
202
0.4%
0.0pp
Croatian
2021 count
174
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
174
0.3%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
138
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
138
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
138
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
138
0.3%
+0.1pp
Serbian
2021 count
95
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
95
0.2%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,130
+0.5pp
Not stated
+2
-0.5pp
Italian
0
0.0pp
Arabic
+72
+0.1pp
Spanish
+61
+0.1pp
Maltese
+12
0.0pp
Croatian
+17
0.0pp
Greek
-19
0.0pp
Mandarin
+23
+0.1pp
Serbian
+17
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wollondilly (A). 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 | 48,361 | 89.7% | 57.3% | 43,231 | 89.2% | 58.4% | +5,130 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,525 | 4.7% | 5.3% | 2,523 | 5.2% | 5.8% | +2 | -0.5pp |
| Italian | 359 | 0.7% | 1.0% | 359 | 0.7% | 1.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 358 | 0.7% | 4.2% | 286 | 0.6% | 4.0% | +72 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 266 | 0.5% | 1.2% | 205 | 0.4% | 1.2% | +61 | +0.1pp |
| Maltese | 202 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 190 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Croatian | 174 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 157 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 138 | 0.3% | 1.4% | 157 | 0.3% | 1.6% | -19 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 138 | 0.3% | 5.0% | 115 | 0.2% | 4.7% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Serbian | 95 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 78 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 53,939 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 48,487 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,452 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.