Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken at home for East Maitland in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Maitland, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Tagalog
Cantonese
Thai
Punjabi
Arabic
Spanish
Nepali
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 spoken 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.