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, Arabic was the most common language used at home among residents in Old Guildford, accounting for 41.1% (1,166 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (9.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 686 people, while its share fell by 74.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Old Guildford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Old Guildford 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 Old Guildford, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Arabic
2021 count
1,166
% of total
41.1%
Change from 2016
-
1,166
41.1%
-
English
2021 count
718
% of total
25.3%
Change from 2016
-74.7pp
718
25.3%
-74.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
303
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-
303
10.7%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
80
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-
80
2.8%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
69
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-
69
2.4%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
64
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
64
2.3%
-
Dari
2021 count
50
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
50
1.8%
-
Hazaraghi
2021 count
41
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
41
1.4%
-
Turkish
2021 count
40
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
40
1.4%
-
Urdu
2021 count
36
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
36
1.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+686
-74.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Old Guildford. 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 | |
| Arabic | 1,166 | 41.1% | 9.3% | - | - | 7.9% | - | - |
| English | 718 | 25.3% | 23.4% | 32 | 100.0% | 24.8% | +686 | -74.7pp |
| Not stated | 303 | 10.7% | 6.9% | - | - | 4.4% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 80 | 2.8% | 3.7% | - | - | 4.3% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 69 | 2.4% | 2.3% | - | - | 2.5% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 64 | 2.3% | 21.1% | - | - | 20.4% | - | - |
| Dari | 50 | 1.8% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Hazaraghi | 41 | 1.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Turkish | 40 | 1.4% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Urdu | 36 | 1.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 2,836 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 32 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,804 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.