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 Wakeley, accounting for 21.3% (1,038 people). This share was lower than Fairfield (C) (23.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 98 people and 1.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Wakeley - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Wakeley 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 Wakeley, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).

Wakeley
Fairfield (C)

English

2021 count

1,038

% of total

21.3%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

877

% of total

18.0%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

2021 count

741

% of total

15.2%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Arabic

2021 count

349

% of total

7.2%

Change from 2016

+1.9pp

Chaldean Neo-Aramaic

2021 count

244

% of total

5.0%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

232

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Khmer

2021 count

193

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Spanish

2021 count

162

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Cantonese

2021 count

160

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Croatian

2021 count

129

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Data table

Language used at home for Wakeley. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).

Language used at home for Wakeley. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Language used at home for Wakeley. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Fairfield (C)%Count%Fairfield (C)%Countpp
English1,03821.3%23.4%1,05322.2%24.8%-15-0.9pp
Vietnamese87718.0%21.1%83317.5%20.4%+44+0.5pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic74115.2%7.8%65513.8%6.7%+86+1.4pp
Arabic3497.2%9.3%2515.3%7.9%+98+1.9pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic2445.0%4.0%2094.4%3.3%+35+0.6pp
Not stated2324.8%6.9%1623.4%4.4%+70+1.4pp
Khmer1934.0%3.3%1643.5%3.6%+29+0.5pp
Spanish1623.3%2.3%2144.5%3.1%-52-1.2pp
Cantonese1603.3%3.7%1843.9%4.3%-24-0.6pp
Croatian1292.6%1.1%1503.2%1.3%-21-0.6pp
Total4,881100.0%100.0%4,748100.0%100.0%+1330.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.