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 Suffolk Park, accounting for 80.5% (3,390 people). This share was similar to Byron (A) (80.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 6,175 people, while its share rose by 22.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Suffolk Park - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Suffolk Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Byron (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Suffolk Park, with comparison markers for Byron (A).
English
2021 count
3,390
% of total
80.5%
Change from 2016
+22.3pp
3,390
80.5%
+22.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
319
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
319
7.6%
-5.6pp
Spanish
2021 count
122
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
122
2.9%
+1.0pp
Italian
2021 count
61
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
61
1.4%
0.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
54
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
54
1.3%
+0.6pp
French
2021 count
52
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
52
1.2%
-0.8pp
German
2021 count
36
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
36
0.9%
+0.3pp
Dutch
2021 count
22
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
0.5%
+0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
19
0.5%
-0.3pp
Thai
2021 count
18
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
18
0.4%
-3.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-6,175
+22.3pp
Not stated
-1,846
-5.6pp
Spanish
-190
+1.0pp
Italian
-171
0.0pp
Portuguese
-65
+0.6pp
French
-274
-0.8pp
German
-69
+0.3pp
Dutch
-49
+0.1pp
Japanese
-114
-0.3pp
Thai
-612
-3.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Suffolk Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Byron (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | % | Byron (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,390 | 80.5% | 80.4% | 9,565 | 58.2% | 81.0% | -6,175 | +22.3pp |
| Not stated | 319 | 7.6% | 10.1% | 2,165 | 13.2% | 12.3% | -1,846 | -5.6pp |
| Spanish | 122 | 2.9% | 1.6% | 312 | 1.9% | 0.6% | -190 | +1.0pp |
| Italian | 61 | 1.4% | 0.8% | 232 | 1.4% | 0.6% | -171 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 54 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 119 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -65 | +0.6pp |
| French | 52 | 1.2% | 1.0% | 326 | 2.0% | 0.7% | -274 | -0.8pp |
| German | 36 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 105 | 0.6% | 1.0% | -69 | +0.3pp |
| Dutch | 22 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 71 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -49 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 19 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 133 | 0.8% | 0.5% | -114 | -0.3pp |
| Thai | 18 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 630 | 3.8% | 0.2% | -612 | -3.4pp |
| Total | 4,211 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,433 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -12,222 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.