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 Chisholm (NSW), accounting for 86.1% (3,904 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (90.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,556 people, while its share fell by 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Chisholm (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Chisholm (NSW) 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 Chisholm (NSW), with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
English
2021 count
3,904
% of total
86.1%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
3,904
86.1%
-5.9pp
Malayalam
2021 count
185
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
185
4.1%
+3.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
91
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
91
2.0%
-0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
53
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
53
1.2%
+0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
43
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
43
0.9%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
22
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
22
0.5%
-0.2pp
Shona
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
21
0.5%
-
Spanish
2021 count
20
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
20
0.4%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
20
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
20
0.4%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
18
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,556
-5.9pp
Malayalam
+177
+3.6pp
Not stated
+56
-0.4pp
Punjabi
+41
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+12
-0.2pp
Tagalog
+15
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+8
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Chisholm (NSW). 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 | 3,904 | 86.1% | 90.6% | 1,348 | 92.0% | 91.0% | +2,556 | -5.9pp |
| Malayalam | 185 | 4.1% | 0.4% | 8 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +177 | +3.6pp |
| Not stated | 91 | 2.0% | 3.9% | 35 | 2.4% | 5.0% | +56 | -0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 53 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +41 | +0.4pp |
| Korean | 43 | 0.9% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 22 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.7% | 0.2% | +12 | -0.2pp |
| Shona | 21 | 0.5% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Spanish | 20 | 0.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 20 | 0.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 18 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 3 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,533 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,465 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,068 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.