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 Pendle Hill (part), accounting for 28.6% (2,198 people). This share was higher than Cumberland (A) (26.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 288 people and 5.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

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

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

Pendle Hill (part)
Cumberland (A)

English

2021 count

2,198

% of total

28.6%

Change from 2016

-5.8pp

Tamil

2021 count

1,293

% of total

16.8%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

738

% of total

9.6%

Change from 2016

+3.1pp

Gujarati

2021 count

494

% of total

6.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Hindi

2021 count

451

% of total

5.9%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Telugu

2021 count

420

% of total

5.5%

Change from 2016

+2.2pp

Punjabi

2021 count

308

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Arabic

2021 count

249

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Malayalam

2021 count

155

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Mandarin

2021 count

133

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Data table

Language used at home for Pendle 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 Pendle 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 Pendle 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
English2,19828.6%26.6%2,48634.4%28.9%-288-5.8pp
Tamil1,29316.8%3.3%1,22617.0%3.1%+67-0.2pp
Not stated7389.6%8.2%4666.5%5.5%+272+3.1pp
Gujarati4946.4%1.6%4706.5%1.6%+24-0.1pp
Hindi4515.9%2.3%4295.9%2.3%+220.0pp
Telugu4205.5%1.4%2403.3%0.8%+180+2.2pp
Punjabi3084.0%1.2%2062.9%1.3%+102+1.1pp
Arabic2493.2%14.1%2383.3%15.2%+11-0.1pp
Malayalam1552.0%0.6%691.0%0.4%+86+1.0pp
Mandarin1331.7%6.7%1361.9%6.3%-3-0.2pp
Total7,698100.0%100.0%7,222100.0%100.0%+4760.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.