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 South Plympton, accounting for 67% (3,163 people). This share was lower than Marion (C) (76%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 262 people, while its share fell by 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Plympton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South Plympton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Marion (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Plympton, with comparison markers for Marion (C).
English
2021 count
3,163
% of total
67.0%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
3,163
67.0%
-2.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
310
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
310
6.6%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
127
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
127
2.7%
-0.8pp
Nepali
2021 count
114
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
114
2.4%
+1.4pp
Greek
2021 count
113
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
113
2.4%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
101
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
101
2.1%
-0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
91
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
91
1.9%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
61
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
61
1.3%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
47
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
47
1.0%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
47
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
47
1.0%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+262
-2.6pp
Mandarin
+77
+1.0pp
Not stated
-20
-0.8pp
Nepali
+73
+1.4pp
Greek
+5
-0.2pp
Cantonese
-2
-0.4pp
Punjabi
+33
+0.5pp
Italian
0
-0.2pp
Arabic
+5
0.0pp
Hindi
+19
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for South Plympton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Marion (C)% | Count | % | Marion (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,163 | 67.0% | 76.0% | 2,901 | 69.6% | 76.9% | +262 | -2.6pp |
| Mandarin | 310 | 6.6% | 3.1% | 233 | 5.6% | 2.8% | +77 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 127 | 2.7% | 3.1% | 147 | 3.5% | 4.3% | -20 | -0.8pp |
| Nepali | 114 | 2.4% | 1.8% | 41 | 1.0% | 0.5% | +73 | +1.4pp |
| Greek | 113 | 2.4% | 1.1% | 108 | 2.6% | 1.3% | +5 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 101 | 2.1% | 0.9% | 103 | 2.5% | 0.9% | -2 | -0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 91 | 1.9% | 1.2% | 58 | 1.4% | 0.7% | +33 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 61 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 61 | 1.5% | 0.8% | 0 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 47 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 42 | 1.0% | 1.4% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 47 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 28 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 4,722 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,166 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +556 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.