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 Ashtonfield, accounting for 88.9% (4,063 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (90.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 33 people, while its share rose by 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ashtonfield - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ashtonfield in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashtonfield, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
English
2021 count
4,063
% of total
88.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
4,063
88.9%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
129
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
129
2.8%
-1.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
55
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
55
1.2%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
28
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
28
0.6%
+0.1pp
Urdu
2021 count
28
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
28
0.6%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
21
0.5%
+0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
21
0.5%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
18
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.4%
+0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
17
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.4%
+0.1pp
Russian
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-33
+0.4pp
Not stated
-65
-1.4pp
Cantonese
-5
-0.1pp
Arabic
+3
+0.1pp
Urdu
-7
-0.2pp
Spanish
+14
+0.3pp
Hindi
+7
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+9
+0.2pp
Portuguese
+4
+0.1pp
Russian
-5
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ashtonfield. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Maitland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,063 | 88.9% | 90.6% | 4,096 | 88.5% | 91.0% | -33 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 129 | 2.8% | 3.9% | 194 | 4.2% | 5.0% | -65 | -1.4pp |
| Cantonese | 55 | 1.2% | 0.2% | 60 | 1.3% | 0.2% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 28 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 25 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Urdu | 28 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.8% | 0.1% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 21 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 18 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 17 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Russian | 15 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.1% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,570 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,626 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -56 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.