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, Vietnamese was the most common language used at home among residents in Bonnyrigg, accounting for 27.4% (2,680 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (21.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 621 people and 6.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bonnyrigg - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bonnyrigg 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, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Vietnamese
2021 count
2,680
% of total
27.4%
Change from 2016
-
2,680
27.4%
-
English
2021 count
2,298
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
-66.2pp
2,298
23.5%
-66.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
628
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
628
6.4%
+6.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
625
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
625
6.4%
+3.6pp
Khmer
2021 count
545
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-
545
5.6%
-
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
482
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+4.8pp
482
4.9%
+4.8pp
Cantonese
2021 count
330
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
330
3.4%
+3.0pp
Serbian
2021 count
257
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-
257
2.6%
-
Lao
2021 count
246
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-
246
2.5%
-
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
238
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-
238
2.4%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+288
-66.2pp
Arabic
+621
+6.1pp
Not stated
+563
+3.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+479
+4.8pp
Cantonese
+322
+3.0pp
Spanish
+216
+1.7pp
Mandarin
+161
+1.2pp
Italian
+90
+0.6pp
Thai
+57
+0.4pp
Croatian
+49
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bonnyrigg. 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 | |
| Vietnamese | 2,680 | 27.4% | 21.1% | - | - | 20.4% | - | - |
| English | 2,298 | 23.5% | 23.4% | 2,010 | 89.7% | 24.8% | +288 | -66.2pp |
| Arabic | 628 | 6.4% | 9.3% | 7 | 0.3% | 7.9% | +621 | +6.1pp |
| Not stated | 625 | 6.4% | 6.9% | 62 | 2.8% | 4.4% | +563 | +3.6pp |
| Khmer | 545 | 5.6% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.6% | - | - |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 482 | 4.9% | 7.8% | 3 | 0.1% | 6.7% | +479 | +4.8pp |
| Cantonese | 330 | 3.4% | 3.7% | 8 | 0.4% | 4.3% | +322 | +3.0pp |
| Serbian | 257 | 2.6% | 1.6% | - | - | 1.9% | - | - |
| Lao | 246 | 2.5% | 0.8% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 238 | 2.4% | 4.0% | - | - | 3.3% | - | - |
| Total | 9,781 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,240 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,541 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.