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 Ashburton (S), accounting for 69.8% (5,167 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 4,227 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ashburton (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ashburton (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashburton (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
5,167
% of total
69.8%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
5,167
69.8%
-2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,419
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
1,419
19.2%
+2.7pp
Banyjima
2021 count
83
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
83
1.1%
+0.6pp
Thai
2021 count
50
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
50
0.7%
+0.4pp
Tagalog
2021 count
48
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
48
0.6%
-0.6pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
48
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
48
0.6%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
44
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
44
0.6%
-0.1pp
Indonesian
2021 count
39
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
39
0.5%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
30
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
30
0.4%
-0.3pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
23
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
23
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-4,227
-2.6pp
Not stated
-724
+2.7pp
Banyjima
+13
+0.6pp
Thai
+17
+0.4pp
Tagalog
-109
-0.6pp
Maori (New Zealand)
-7
+0.2pp
Filipino
-53
-0.1pp
Indonesian
-2
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-57
-0.3pp
Sinhalese
+6
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ashburton (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,167 | 69.8% | 80.9% | 9,394 | 72.4% | 81.7% | -4,227 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,419 | 19.2% | 10.5% | 2,143 | 16.5% | 10.0% | -724 | +2.7pp |
| Banyjima | 83 | 1.1% | 0.0% | 70 | 0.5% | 0.0% | +13 | +0.6pp |
| Thai | 50 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 33 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Tagalog | 48 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 157 | 1.2% | 0.6% | -109 | -0.6pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 48 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 55 | 0.4% | 0.1% | -7 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 44 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 97 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -53 | -0.1pp |
| Indonesian | 39 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 41 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -2 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 30 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 87 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -57 | -0.3pp |
| Sinhalese | 23 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 7,403 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,981 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -5,578 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.