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 East Maitland, accounting for 90.1% (10,694 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (90.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 79 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Maitland - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for East Maitland 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 East Maitland, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
English
2021 count
10,694
% of total
90.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10,694
90.1%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
567
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
567
4.8%
-1.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
56
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
56
0.5%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
42
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
42
0.4%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
35
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
35
0.3%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
33
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
33
0.3%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
31
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
31
0.3%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.2%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+79
0.0pp
Not stated
-117
-1.0pp
Mandarin
+8
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+21
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+15
+0.1pp
Thai
+23
+0.2pp
Punjabi
-9
0.0pp
Arabic
+9
0.0pp
Spanish
+7
0.0pp
Nepali
+20
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for East Maitland. 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 | 10,694 | 90.1% | 90.6% | 10,615 | 90.1% | 91.0% | +79 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 567 | 4.8% | 3.9% | 684 | 5.8% | 5.0% | -117 | -1.0pp |
| Mandarin | 56 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 48 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 42 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +21 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 35 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 33 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +23 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 31 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 40 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -9 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 27 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 19 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 26 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 11,869 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,781 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +88 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.