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 Salisbury Downs, accounting for 55.9% (3,514 people). This share was lower than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 150 people and 5.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Salisbury Downs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Salisbury Downs 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 Salisbury Downs, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
English
Vietnamese
Not stated
Khmer
Hazaraghi
Nepali
Italian
Arabic
Dari
Tagalog
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-150
-5.6pp
Vietnamese
+46
+0.4pp
Not stated
+52
+0.6pp
Khmer
+57
+0.8pp
Hazaraghi
+127
+2.0pp
Nepali
+12
+0.1pp
Italian
-13
-0.4pp
Arabic
+67
+1.0pp
Dari
0
0.0pp
Tagalog
-10
-0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Salisbury Downs. 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 | 3,514 | 55.9% | 62.9% | 3,664 | 61.5% | 67.2% | -150 | -5.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 458 | 7.3% | 4.0% | 412 | 6.9% | 3.9% | +46 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 374 | 6.0% | 4.6% | 322 | 5.4% | 4.8% | +52 | +0.6pp |
| Khmer | 191 | 3.0% | 1.8% | 134 | 2.2% | 1.7% | +57 | +0.8pp |
| Hazaraghi | 156 | 2.5% | 2.4% | 29 | 0.5% | 1.1% | +127 | +2.0pp |
| Nepali | 143 | 2.3% | 1.5% | 131 | 2.2% | 1.2% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 116 | 1.8% | 1.1% | 129 | 2.2% | 1.4% | -13 | -0.4pp |
| Arabic | 116 | 1.8% | 1.6% | 49 | 0.8% | 1.2% | +67 | +1.0pp |
| Dari | 80 | 1.3% | 1.0% | 80 | 1.3% | 1.0% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 78 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 88 | 1.5% | 0.8% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 6,281 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,962 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +319 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.