Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 English, which increased by 399 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bonnyrigg - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken 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
English
Arabic
Not stated
Khmer
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
Cantonese
Serbian
Lao
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Vietnamese
+137
-2.0pp
English
+399
+1.5pp
Arabic
+187
+1.3pp
Not stated
+290
+2.5pp
Khmer
+8
-0.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+117
+0.7pp
Cantonese
-74
-1.3pp
Serbian
+31
0.0pp
Lao
-4
-0.4pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+123
+1.1pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 2,543 | 29.4% | 20.4% | +137 | -2.0pp |
| English | 2,298 | 23.5% | 23.4% | 1,899 | 22.0% | 24.8% | +399 | +1.5pp |
| Arabic | 628 | 6.4% | 9.3% | 441 | 5.1% | 7.9% | +187 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 625 | 6.4% | 6.9% | 335 | 3.9% | 4.4% | +290 | +2.5pp |
| Khmer | 545 | 5.6% | 3.3% | 537 | 6.2% | 3.6% | +8 | -0.6pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 482 | 4.9% | 7.8% | 365 | 4.2% | 6.7% | +117 | +0.7pp |
| Cantonese | 330 | 3.4% | 3.7% | 404 | 4.7% | 4.3% | -74 | -1.3pp |
| Serbian | 257 | 2.6% | 1.6% | 226 | 2.6% | 1.9% | +31 | 0.0pp |
| Lao | 246 | 2.5% | 0.8% | 250 | 2.9% | 1.0% | -4 | -0.4pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 238 | 2.4% | 4.0% | 115 | 1.3% | 3.3% | +123 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 9,781 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,647 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,134 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.