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 Bonnyrigg Heights, accounting for 26.2% (1,929 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 858 people and 68.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bonnyrigg Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bonnyrigg Heights 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 Bonnyrigg Heights, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
English
2021 count
1,929
% of total
26.2%
Change from 2016
-68.2pp
1,929
26.2%
-68.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,320
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-
1,320
18.0%
-
Arabic
2021 count
477
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-
477
6.5%
-
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
434
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-
434
5.9%
-
Serbian
2021 count
428
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-
428
5.8%
-
Not stated
2021 count
365
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
365
5.0%
+0.7pp
Khmer
2021 count
305
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
305
4.1%
+4.0pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
292
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-
292
4.0%
-
Spanish
2021 count
164
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
164
2.2%
+1.9pp
Lao
2021 count
163
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-
163
2.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-858
-68.2pp
Not stated
+238
+0.7pp
Khmer
+302
+4.0pp
Spanish
+154
+1.9pp
Greek
+36
+0.4pp
Turkish
+34
+0.4pp
French
+21
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bonnyrigg Heights. 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 | 1,929 | 26.2% | 23.4% | 2,787 | 94.4% | 24.8% | -858 | -68.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,320 | 18.0% | 21.1% | - | - | 20.4% | - | - |
| Arabic | 477 | 6.5% | 9.3% | - | - | 7.9% | - | - |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 434 | 5.9% | 7.8% | - | - | 6.7% | - | - |
| Serbian | 428 | 5.8% | 1.6% | - | - | 1.9% | - | - |
| Not stated | 365 | 5.0% | 6.9% | 127 | 4.3% | 4.4% | +238 | +0.7pp |
| Khmer | 305 | 4.1% | 3.3% | 3 | 0.1% | 3.6% | +302 | +4.0pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 292 | 4.0% | 4.0% | - | - | 3.3% | - | - |
| Spanish | 164 | 2.2% | 2.3% | 10 | 0.3% | 3.1% | +154 | +1.9pp |
| Lao | 163 | 2.2% | 0.8% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Total | 7,350 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,951 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,399 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.