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 (SA), accounting for 52.4% (4,619 people). This share was lower than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hazaraghi, which increased by 184 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Salisbury (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Salisbury (SA) 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 (SA), with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).
English
2021 count
4,619
% of total
52.4%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
4,619
52.4%
-5.9pp
Nepali
2021 count
705
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
705
8.0%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
579
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
579
6.6%
+0.6pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
320
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
320
3.6%
+1.9pp
Italian
2021 count
264
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
264
3.0%
-0.7pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
196
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
196
2.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
171
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
171
1.9%
+1.2pp
Burmese and Related Languages, nec
2021 count
163
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
163
1.8%
+0.8pp
Dari
2021 count
135
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
135
1.5%
+0.5pp
Chin Haka
2021 count
128
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
128
1.5%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-137
-5.9pp
Nepali
+121
+0.8pp
Not stated
+86
+0.6pp
Hazaraghi
+184
+1.9pp
Italian
-41
-0.7pp
Vietnamese
+17
0.0pp
Arabic
+117
+1.2pp
Burmese and Related Languages, nec
+80
+0.8pp
Dari
+50
+0.5pp
Chin Haka
+52
+0.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Salisbury (SA). 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 | 4,619 | 52.4% | 62.9% | 4,756 | 58.3% | 67.2% | -137 | -5.9pp |
| Nepali | 705 | 8.0% | 1.5% | 584 | 7.2% | 1.2% | +121 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 579 | 6.6% | 4.6% | 493 | 6.0% | 4.8% | +86 | +0.6pp |
| Hazaraghi | 320 | 3.6% | 2.4% | 136 | 1.7% | 1.1% | +184 | +1.9pp |
| Italian | 264 | 3.0% | 1.1% | 305 | 3.7% | 1.4% | -41 | -0.7pp |
| Vietnamese | 196 | 2.2% | 4.0% | 179 | 2.2% | 3.9% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 171 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 54 | 0.7% | 1.2% | +117 | +1.2pp |
| Burmese and Related Languages, nec | 163 | 1.8% | 0.4% | 83 | 1.0% | 0.2% | +80 | +0.8pp |
| Dari | 135 | 1.5% | 1.0% | 85 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +50 | +0.5pp |
| Chin Haka | 128 | 1.5% | 0.4% | 76 | 0.9% | 0.2% | +52 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 8,816 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,162 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +654 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.