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 Prairiewood, accounting for 28.6% (987 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, which increased by 121 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Prairiewood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Prairiewood 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 Prairiewood, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
English
2021 count
987
% of total
28.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
987
28.6%
+0.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
472
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
472
13.7%
+2.9pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
342
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
342
9.9%
-1.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
302
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
302
8.8%
+2.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
179
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
179
5.2%
+1.2pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
171
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
171
5.0%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
163
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
163
4.7%
-1.6pp
Italian
2021 count
124
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
124
3.6%
-1.3pp
Croatian
2021 count
123
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
123
3.6%
-0.5pp
Khmer
2021 count
75
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
75
2.2%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+74
+0.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+121
+2.9pp
Vietnamese
-14
-1.1pp
Arabic
+99
+2.5pp
Not stated
+48
+1.2pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+20
+0.3pp
Spanish
-40
-1.6pp
Italian
-36
-1.3pp
Croatian
-9
-0.5pp
Khmer
+13
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Prairiewood. 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 | 987 | 28.6% | 23.4% | 913 | 28.2% | 24.8% | +74 | +0.4pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 472 | 13.7% | 7.8% | 351 | 10.8% | 6.7% | +121 | +2.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 342 | 9.9% | 21.1% | 356 | 11.0% | 20.4% | -14 | -1.1pp |
| Arabic | 302 | 8.8% | 9.3% | 203 | 6.3% | 7.9% | +99 | +2.5pp |
| Not stated | 179 | 5.2% | 6.9% | 131 | 4.0% | 4.4% | +48 | +1.2pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 171 | 5.0% | 4.0% | 151 | 4.7% | 3.3% | +20 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 163 | 4.7% | 2.3% | 203 | 6.3% | 3.1% | -40 | -1.6pp |
| Italian | 124 | 3.6% | 1.9% | 160 | 4.9% | 2.6% | -36 | -1.3pp |
| Croatian | 123 | 3.6% | 1.1% | 132 | 4.1% | 1.3% | -9 | -0.5pp |
| Khmer | 75 | 2.2% | 3.3% | 62 | 1.9% | 3.6% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 3,451 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,238 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +213 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.