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 Salisbury East (part), accounting for 74.4% (6,874 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,774 people, while its share fell by 21.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Salisbury East (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Salisbury East (part) 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 Salisbury East (part), with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).

Salisbury East (part)
Salisbury (C)

English

2021 count

6,874

% of total

74.4%

Change from 2016

-21.8pp

Not stated

2021 count

414

% of total

4.5%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Hazaraghi

2021 count

214

% of total

2.3%

Change from 2016

-

Arabic

2021 count

159

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-

Chin Haka

2021 count

123

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-

Dari

2021 count

110

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-

Italian

2021 count

109

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-

Gujarati

2021 count

105

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-

Vietnamese

2021 count

99

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-

Greek

2021 count

93

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for Salisbury East (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).

Language used at home for Salisbury East (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Language used at home for Salisbury East (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Salisbury (C)%Count%Salisbury (C)%Countpp
English6,87474.4%62.9%10096.2%67.2%+6,774-21.8pp
Not stated4144.5%4.6%43.8%4.8%+410+0.7pp
Hazaraghi2142.3%2.4%--1.1%--
Arabic1591.7%1.6%--1.2%--
Chin Haka1231.3%0.4%--0.2%--
Dari1101.2%1.0%--1.0%--
Italian1091.2%1.1%--1.4%--
Gujarati1051.1%1.2%--0.7%--
Vietnamese991.1%4.0%--3.9%--
Greek931.0%0.8%--0.9%--
Total9,238100.0%100.0%104100.0%100.0%+9,1340.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.