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 Mays Hill (part), accounting for 24.5% (463 people). This share was lower than Cumberland (A) (26.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 408 people, while its share fell by 70.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Mays Hill (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Mays Hill (part) 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 Mays Hill (part), with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).

Mays Hill (part)
Cumberland (A)

English

2021 count

463

% of total

24.5%

Change from 2016

-70.3pp

Hindi

2021 count

163

% of total

8.6%

Change from 2016

-

Arabic

2021 count

138

% of total

7.3%

Change from 2016

-

Tamil

2021 count

126

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

-

Telugu

2021 count

113

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

-

Not stated

2021 count

104

% of total

5.5%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Gujarati

2021 count

84

% of total

4.5%

Change from 2016

-

Punjabi

2021 count

77

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

-

Mandarin

2021 count

62

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

-

Malayalam

2021 count

51

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for Mays Hill (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).

Language used at home for Mays Hill (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
Language used at home for Mays Hill (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cumberland (A)%Count%Cumberland (A)%Countpp
English46324.5%26.6%5594.8%28.9%+408-70.3pp
Hindi1638.6%2.3%--2.3%--
Arabic1387.3%14.1%--15.2%--
Tamil1266.7%3.3%--3.1%--
Telugu1136.0%1.4%--0.8%--
Not stated1045.5%8.2%35.2%5.5%+101+0.3pp
Gujarati844.5%1.6%--1.6%--
Punjabi774.1%1.2%--1.3%--
Mandarin623.3%6.7%--6.3%--
Malayalam512.7%0.6%--0.4%--
Total1,887100.0%100.0%58100.0%100.0%+1,8290.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.