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 Plain, accounting for 67.1% (873 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 36 people and 2.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Salisbury Plain - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Salisbury Plain
Salisbury (C)

English

2021 count

873

% of total

67.1%

Change from 2016

-5.2pp

Nepali

2021 count

87

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

+2.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

51

% of total

3.9%

Change from 2016

-1.7pp

Hazaraghi

2021 count

38

% of total

2.9%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Italian

2021 count

35

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Greek

2021 count

33

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Burmese and Related Languages, nec

2021 count

26

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-

Vietnamese

2021 count

19

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Dari

2021 count

17

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Arabic

2021 count

17

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Salisbury Plain. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Language used at home for Salisbury Plain. 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
English87367.1%62.9%87072.3%67.2%+3-5.2pp
Nepali876.7%1.5%514.2%1.2%+36+2.5pp
Not stated513.9%4.6%675.6%4.8%-16-1.7pp
Hazaraghi382.9%2.4%201.7%1.1%+18+1.2pp
Italian352.7%1.1%443.7%1.4%-9-1.0pp
Greek332.5%0.8%322.7%0.9%+1-0.2pp
Burmese and Related Languages, nec262.0%0.4%--0.2%--
Vietnamese191.5%4.0%242.0%3.9%-5-0.5pp
Dari171.3%1.0%80.7%1.0%+9+0.6pp
Arabic171.3%1.6%110.9%1.2%+6+0.4pp
Total1,301100.0%100.0%1,203100.0%100.0%+980.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.