Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Metford, accounting for 88.5% (4,162 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (90.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 16 people, while its share rose by 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Metford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Metford 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 Metford, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
English
Not stated
Telugu
Mandarin
Cantonese
Punjabi
Vietnamese
Tongan
Tagalog
Samoan
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-16
+0.7pp
Not stated
-23
-0.4pp
Telugu
-1
0.0pp
Mandarin
+5
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+7
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+13
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
0
0.0pp
Tongan
+8
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-13
-0.3pp
Samoan
-7
-0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Metford. 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 | 4,162 | 88.5% | 90.6% | 4,178 | 87.8% | 91.0% | -16 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 212 | 4.5% | 3.9% | 235 | 4.9% | 5.0% | -23 | -0.4pp |
| Telugu | 32 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 33 | 0.7% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 31 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 26 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 23 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 16 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 18 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 18 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Tongan | 17 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 16 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 29 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -13 | -0.3pp |
| Samoan | 15 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 22 | 0.5% | 0.1% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 4,703 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,758 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -55 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.