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 Mawson Lakes, accounting for 55% (7,559 people). This share was lower than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,307 people, while its share fell by 36.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mawson Lakes - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mawson Lakes 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 Mawson Lakes, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
English
2021 count
7,559
% of total
55.0%
Change from 2016
-36.9pp
7,559
55.0%
-36.9pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
670
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-
670
4.9%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
647
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
647
4.7%
+4.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
572
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-
572
4.2%
-
Not stated
2021 count
438
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
438
3.2%
-1.6pp
Hindi
2021 count
304
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-
304
2.2%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
292
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-
292
2.1%
-
Arabic
2021 count
251
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
251
1.8%
-
Urdu
2021 count
221
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-
221
1.6%
-
Gujarati
2021 count
156
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
156
1.1%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,307
-36.9pp
Mandarin
+640
+4.2pp
Not stated
+372
-1.6pp
Greek
+97
+0.3pp
Italian
+77
-0.3pp
German
+20
-0.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mawson Lakes. 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 | 7,559 | 55.0% | 62.9% | 1,252 | 91.9% | 67.2% | +6,307 | -36.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 670 | 4.9% | 4.0% | - | - | 3.9% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 647 | 4.7% | 1.0% | 7 | 0.5% | 1.3% | +640 | +4.2pp |
| Punjabi | 572 | 4.2% | 2.4% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Not stated | 438 | 3.2% | 4.6% | 66 | 4.8% | 4.8% | +372 | -1.6pp |
| Hindi | 304 | 2.2% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 292 | 2.1% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Arabic | 251 | 1.8% | 1.6% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Urdu | 221 | 1.6% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Gujarati | 156 | 1.1% | 1.2% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Total | 13,753 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,362 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,391 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.