Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Punjabi, which increased by 369 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mawson Lakes - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Mawson Lakes in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mawson Lakes, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
English
Vietnamese
Mandarin
Punjabi
Not stated
Hindi
Cantonese
Arabic
Urdu
Gujarati
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+9
-1.9pp
Vietnamese
+24
0.0pp
Mandarin
-197
-1.7pp
Punjabi
+369
+2.7pp
Not stated
-184
-1.5pp
Hindi
+98
+0.6pp
Cantonese
-3
-0.1pp
Arabic
+15
0.0pp
Urdu
+20
+0.1pp
Gujarati
+98
+0.7pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 7,550 | 56.9% | 67.2% | +9 | -1.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 670 | 4.9% | 4.0% | 646 | 4.9% | 3.9% | +24 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 647 | 4.7% | 1.0% | 844 | 6.4% | 1.3% | -197 | -1.7pp |
| Punjabi | 572 | 4.2% | 2.4% | 203 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +369 | +2.7pp |
| Not stated | 438 | 3.2% | 4.6% | 622 | 4.7% | 4.8% | -184 | -1.5pp |
| Hindi | 304 | 2.2% | 0.8% | 206 | 1.6% | 0.6% | +98 | +0.6pp |
| Cantonese | 292 | 2.1% | 0.5% | 295 | 2.2% | 0.6% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 251 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 236 | 1.8% | 1.2% | +15 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 221 | 1.6% | 0.5% | 201 | 1.5% | 0.3% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 156 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 58 | 0.4% | 0.7% | +98 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 13,753 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,261 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +492 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.