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 Guildford West, accounting for 37% (2,135 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (26.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 352 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Guildford West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Guildford West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Guildford West, with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
English
2021 count
2,135
% of total
37.0%
Change from 2016
-7.6pp
2,135
37.0%
-7.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,661
% of total
28.8%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
1,661
28.8%
+2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
515
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
515
8.9%
+4.1pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
165
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
165
2.9%
+1.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
134
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
134
2.3%
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
112
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
112
1.9%
+0.7pp
Turkish
2021 count
97
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
97
1.7%
+0.3pp
Urdu
2021 count
94
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
94
1.6%
+1.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
74
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
74
1.3%
-0.2pp
Dari
2021 count
69
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
69
1.2%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-55
-7.6pp
Arabic
+352
+2.1pp
Not stated
+278
+4.1pp
Hazaraghi
+95
+1.5pp
Mandarin
+34
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+55
+0.7pp
Turkish
+30
+0.3pp
Urdu
+78
+1.3pp
Vietnamese
-1
-0.2pp
Dari
-16
-0.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Guildford West. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,135 | 37.0% | 26.6% | 2,190 | 44.6% | 28.9% | -55 | -7.6pp |
| Arabic | 1,661 | 28.8% | 14.1% | 1,309 | 26.7% | 15.2% | +352 | +2.1pp |
| Not stated | 515 | 8.9% | 8.2% | 237 | 4.8% | 5.5% | +278 | +4.1pp |
| Hazaraghi | 165 | 2.9% | 1.7% | 70 | 1.4% | 1.6% | +95 | +1.5pp |
| Mandarin | 134 | 2.3% | 6.7% | 100 | 2.0% | 6.3% | +34 | +0.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 112 | 1.9% | 0.9% | 57 | 1.2% | 1.2% | +55 | +0.7pp |
| Turkish | 97 | 1.7% | 2.9% | 67 | 1.4% | 3.1% | +30 | +0.3pp |
| Urdu | 94 | 1.6% | 2.6% | 16 | 0.3% | 2.2% | +78 | +1.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 74 | 1.3% | 1.6% | 75 | 1.5% | 1.7% | -1 | -0.2pp |
| Dari | 69 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 85 | 1.7% | 1.7% | -16 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 5,764 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,905 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +859 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.