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, accounting for 38.3% (9,580 people). This share was lower than Manningham (C) (50.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 9,279 people, while its share fell by 54.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Doncaster - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Doncaster 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, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).
English
2021 count
9,580
% of total
38.3%
Change from 2016
-54.3pp
9,580
38.3%
-54.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
5,251
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
-
5,251
21.0%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
2,645
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-
2,645
10.6%
-
Greek
2021 count
1,551
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-
1,551
6.2%
-
Not stated
2021 count
886
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
886
3.5%
-2.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
835
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-
835
3.3%
-
Italian
2021 count
612
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
612
2.4%
+0.9pp
Korean
2021 count
385
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
385
1.5%
-
Arabic
2021 count
373
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
373
1.5%
-
Hindi
2021 count
251
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
251
1.0%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+9,279
-54.3pp
Not stated
+867
-2.3pp
Italian
+607
+0.9pp
Data table
Language used at home for Doncaster. 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 | 9,580 | 38.3% | 50.7% | 301 | 92.6% | 53.6% | +9,279 | -54.3pp |
| Mandarin | 5,251 | 21.0% | 13.9% | - | - | 10.7% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 2,645 | 10.6% | 8.5% | - | - | 8.1% | - | - |
| Greek | 1,551 | 6.2% | 5.5% | - | - | 6.1% | - | - |
| Not stated | 886 | 3.5% | 3.1% | 19 | 5.8% | 3.9% | +867 | -2.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 835 | 3.3% | 2.7% | - | - | 1.9% | - | - |
| Italian | 612 | 2.4% | 3.1% | 5 | 1.5% | 4.2% | +607 | +0.9pp |
| Korean | 385 | 1.5% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Arabic | 373 | 1.5% | 1.9% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Hindi | 251 | 1.0% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Total | 24,993 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 325 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +24,668 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.