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 Doncaster East, accounting for 39.7% (12,261 people). This share was lower than Manningham (C) (50.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 1,770 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Doncaster East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Doncaster East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Manningham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Doncaster East, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).
English
2021 count
12,261
% of total
39.7%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
12,261
39.7%
-4.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
5,859
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
5,859
18.9%
+4.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
4,187
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,187
13.5%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
1,498
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,498
4.8%
-0.9pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
1,062
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,062
3.4%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
880
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
880
2.8%
-0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
713
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
713
2.3%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
657
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
657
2.1%
-0.9pp
Hindi
2021 count
400
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
400
1.3%
+0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
344
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
344
1.1%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-358
-4.9pp
Mandarin
+1,770
+4.5pp
Cantonese
+329
-0.1pp
Greek
-110
-0.9pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+341
+0.9pp
Not stated
-81
-0.6pp
Arabic
+217
+0.5pp
Italian
-186
-0.9pp
Hindi
+142
+0.4pp
Korean
+75
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Doncaster East. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Manningham (C)% | Count | % | Manningham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 12,261 | 39.7% | 50.7% | 12,619 | 44.6% | 53.6% | -358 | -4.9pp |
| Mandarin | 5,859 | 18.9% | 13.9% | 4,089 | 14.4% | 10.7% | +1,770 | +4.5pp |
| Cantonese | 4,187 | 13.5% | 8.5% | 3,858 | 13.6% | 8.1% | +329 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 1,498 | 4.8% | 5.5% | 1,608 | 5.7% | 6.1% | -110 | -0.9pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 1,062 | 3.4% | 2.7% | 721 | 2.5% | 1.9% | +341 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 880 | 2.8% | 3.1% | 961 | 3.4% | 3.9% | -81 | -0.6pp |
| Arabic | 713 | 2.3% | 1.9% | 496 | 1.8% | 1.6% | +217 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 657 | 2.1% | 3.1% | 843 | 3.0% | 4.2% | -186 | -0.9pp |
| Hindi | 400 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 258 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +142 | +0.4pp |
| Korean | 344 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 269 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +75 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 30,921 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,319 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,602 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.