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 Abbotsbury, accounting for 50.4% (2,116 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 92 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Abbotsbury - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Abbotsbury in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Abbotsbury, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
English
2021 count
2,116
% of total
50.4%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
2,116
50.4%
-1.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
273
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
273
6.5%
-0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
245
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
245
5.8%
-0.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
215
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
215
5.1%
+0.6pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
208
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
208
5.0%
+1.7pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
165
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
165
3.9%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
157
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
157
3.7%
+0.8pp
Croatian
2021 count
147
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
147
3.5%
+0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
96
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
96
2.3%
-1.0pp
Serbian
2021 count
64
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
64
1.5%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-92
-1.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
-19
-0.4pp
Italian
-35
-0.8pp
Arabic
+24
+0.6pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+69
+1.7pp
Vietnamese
+15
+0.4pp
Not stated
+35
+0.8pp
Croatian
+16
+0.4pp
Spanish
-44
-1.0pp
Serbian
+17
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Abbotsbury. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,116 | 50.4% | 23.4% | 2,208 | 51.8% | 24.8% | -92 | -1.4pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 273 | 6.5% | 7.8% | 292 | 6.9% | 6.7% | -19 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 245 | 5.8% | 1.9% | 280 | 6.6% | 2.6% | -35 | -0.8pp |
| Arabic | 215 | 5.1% | 9.3% | 191 | 4.5% | 7.9% | +24 | +0.6pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 208 | 5.0% | 4.0% | 139 | 3.3% | 3.3% | +69 | +1.7pp |
| Vietnamese | 165 | 3.9% | 21.1% | 150 | 3.5% | 20.4% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 157 | 3.7% | 6.9% | 122 | 2.9% | 4.4% | +35 | +0.8pp |
| Croatian | 147 | 3.5% | 1.1% | 131 | 3.1% | 1.3% | +16 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 96 | 2.3% | 2.3% | 140 | 3.3% | 3.1% | -44 | -1.0pp |
| Serbian | 64 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 47 | 1.1% | 1.9% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 4,195 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,259 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -64 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.