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 Woollahra (A), accounting for 79.5% (42,520 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (57.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,479 people and 3.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Woollahra (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Woollahra (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 Woollahra (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
English
2021 count
42,520
% of total
79.5%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
42,520
79.5%
+3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,678
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
2,678
5.0%
-3.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,369
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,369
2.6%
+1.0pp
Greek
2021 count
628
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
628
1.2%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
614
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
614
1.1%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
608
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
608
1.1%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
579
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
579
1.1%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
513
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
513
1.0%
0.0pp
Russian
2021 count
445
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
445
0.8%
-0.1pp
Hebrew
2021 count
364
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
364
0.7%
-0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,479
+3.8pp
Not stated
-2,144
-3.9pp
Mandarin
+479
+1.0pp
Greek
-56
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+60
+0.1pp
Spanish
+35
0.0pp
French
-133
-0.2pp
Italian
-44
0.0pp
Russian
-42
-0.1pp
Hebrew
-63
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Woollahra (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 | 42,520 | 79.5% | 57.3% | 41,041 | 75.7% | 58.4% | +1,479 | +3.8pp |
| Not stated | 2,678 | 5.0% | 5.3% | 4,822 | 8.9% | 5.8% | -2,144 | -3.9pp |
| Mandarin | 1,369 | 2.6% | 5.0% | 890 | 1.6% | 4.7% | +479 | +1.0pp |
| Greek | 628 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 684 | 1.3% | 1.6% | -56 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 614 | 1.1% | 2.8% | 554 | 1.0% | 2.9% | +60 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 608 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 573 | 1.1% | 1.2% | +35 | 0.0pp |
| French | 579 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 712 | 1.3% | 0.4% | -133 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 513 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 557 | 1.0% | 1.3% | -44 | 0.0pp |
| Russian | 445 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 487 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -42 | -0.1pp |
| Hebrew | 364 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 427 | 0.8% | 0.1% | -63 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 53,472 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 54,217 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -745 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.