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 Para Hills West, accounting for 65.9% (2,163 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 71 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Para Hills West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Para Hills West 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 Para Hills West, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
English
2021 count
2,163
% of total
65.9%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
2,163
65.9%
-4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
145
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
145
4.4%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
118
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
118
3.6%
+2.1pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
113
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
113
3.4%
+1.7pp
Gujarati
2021 count
109
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
109
3.3%
+0.7pp
Dari
2021 count
55
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
55
1.7%
-0.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
51
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
51
1.6%
-0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
34
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
34
1.0%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
32
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
32
1.0%
+0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
32
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
32
1.0%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-53
-4.1pp
Not stated
+12
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+71
+2.1pp
Hazaraghi
+60
+1.7pp
Gujarati
+28
+0.7pp
Dari
-16
-0.5pp
Arabic
-4
-0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+9
+0.2pp
Italian
+10
+0.3pp
Malayalam
+6
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Para Hills West. 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 | 2,163 | 65.9% | 62.9% | 2,216 | 70.0% | 67.2% | -53 | -4.1pp |
| Not stated | 145 | 4.4% | 4.6% | 133 | 4.2% | 4.8% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 118 | 3.6% | 2.4% | 47 | 1.5% | 0.9% | +71 | +2.1pp |
| Hazaraghi | 113 | 3.4% | 2.4% | 53 | 1.7% | 1.1% | +60 | +1.7pp |
| Gujarati | 109 | 3.3% | 1.2% | 81 | 2.6% | 0.7% | +28 | +0.7pp |
| Dari | 55 | 1.7% | 1.0% | 71 | 2.2% | 1.0% | -16 | -0.5pp |
| Arabic | 51 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 55 | 1.7% | 1.2% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 34 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 25 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 32 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 22 | 0.7% | 1.4% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 32 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 26 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,284 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,165 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +119 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.