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 Gillieston Heights, accounting for 90.8% (4,319 people). This share was higher than Maitland (C) (90.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,433 people, while its share fell by 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Gillieston Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Gillieston Heights 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 Gillieston Heights, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
English
2021 count
4,319
% of total
90.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4,319
90.8%
-1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
143
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
143
3.0%
-1.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
37
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
37
0.8%
-
Malayalam
2021 count
34
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
34
0.7%
+0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
31
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
31
0.7%
+0.6pp
Auslan
2021 count
23
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
23
0.5%
+0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
18
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
18
0.4%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.3%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12
0.3%
-0.1pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,433
-1.3pp
Not stated
-2
-1.6pp
Malayalam
+26
+0.4pp
Hindi
+27
+0.6pp
Auslan
+20
+0.4pp
Tagalog
+10
+0.2pp
Filipino
-1
-0.1pp
Korean
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Gillieston Heights. 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 | 4,319 | 90.8% | 90.6% | 2,886 | 92.1% | 91.0% | +1,433 | -1.3pp |
| Not stated | 143 | 3.0% | 3.9% | 145 | 4.6% | 5.0% | -2 | -1.6pp |
| Punjabi | 37 | 0.8% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Malayalam | 34 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +26 | +0.4pp |
| Hindi | 31 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +27 | +0.6pp |
| Auslan | 23 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +20 | +0.4pp |
| Arabic | 18 | 0.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 14 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 12 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.4% | 0.1% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Inadequately described | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 4,758 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,134 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,624 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.