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 Burton (SA), accounting for 61% (3,996 people). This share was lower than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 129 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Burton (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Burton (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Burton (SA), with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
English
2021 count
3,996
% of total
61.0%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
3,996
61.0%
-4.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
519
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
519
7.9%
+0.6pp
Khmer
2021 count
451
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
451
6.9%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
264
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
264
4.0%
-0.8pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
175
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
175
2.7%
+1.5pp
Nepali
2021 count
82
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
82
1.3%
+1.0pp
Lao
2021 count
78
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
78
1.2%
-0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
72
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
72
1.1%
+0.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
67
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
67
1.0%
+0.5pp
Tagalog
2021 count
58
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
58
0.9%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-129
-4.0pp
Vietnamese
+56
+0.6pp
Khmer
+8
-0.1pp
Not stated
-38
-0.8pp
Hazaraghi
+101
+1.5pp
Nepali
+66
+1.0pp
Lao
-9
-0.2pp
Punjabi
+51
+0.8pp
Arabic
+38
+0.5pp
Tagalog
+4
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Burton (SA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | % | Salisbury (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,996 | 61.0% | 62.9% | 4,125 | 65.0% | 67.2% | -129 | -4.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 519 | 7.9% | 4.0% | 463 | 7.3% | 3.9% | +56 | +0.6pp |
| Khmer | 451 | 6.9% | 1.8% | 443 | 7.0% | 1.7% | +8 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 264 | 4.0% | 4.6% | 302 | 4.8% | 4.8% | -38 | -0.8pp |
| Hazaraghi | 175 | 2.7% | 2.4% | 74 | 1.2% | 1.1% | +101 | +1.5pp |
| Nepali | 82 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 16 | 0.3% | 1.2% | +66 | +1.0pp |
| Lao | 78 | 1.2% | 0.3% | 87 | 1.4% | 0.3% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 72 | 1.1% | 2.4% | 21 | 0.3% | 0.9% | +51 | +0.8pp |
| Arabic | 67 | 1.0% | 1.6% | 29 | 0.5% | 1.2% | +38 | +0.5pp |
| Tagalog | 58 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 54 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,555 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,347 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +208 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.