Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 St Helena, accounting for 83.6% (2,408 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 100 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
St Helena - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for St Helena in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Banyule (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for St Helena, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
Not stated
Italian
Mandarin
Persian (excluding Dari)
Greek
Macedonian
Croatian
Cantonese
Hindi
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-100
-2.6pp
Not stated
+36
+1.3pp
Italian
-11
-0.4pp
Mandarin
+16
+0.6pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+23
+0.8pp
Greek
-2
0.0pp
Macedonian
-14
-0.5pp
Croatian
+10
+0.4pp
Cantonese
0
0.0pp
Hindi
+10
+0.4pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for St Helena. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Banyule (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Banyule (C)% | Count | % | Banyule (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,408 | 83.6% | 75.0% | 2,508 | 86.2% | 73.8% | -100 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 111 | 3.9% | 3.2% | 75 | 2.6% | 4.5% | +36 | +1.3pp |
| Italian | 73 | 2.5% | 2.4% | 84 | 2.9% | 3.0% | -11 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 58 | 2.0% | 4.0% | 42 | 1.4% | 3.4% | +16 | +0.6pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 26 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +23 | +0.8pp |
| Greek | 25 | 0.9% | 2.0% | 27 | 0.9% | 2.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian | 20 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 34 | 1.2% | 0.7% | -14 | -0.5pp |
| Croatian | 17 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 14 | 0.5% | 1.2% | 14 | 0.5% | 1.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 13 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 2,879 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,908 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -29 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.