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 Valley View (part), accounting for 68.3% (4,361 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 249 people and 3.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Valley View (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Valley View (part)
Salisbury (C)

English

2021 count

4,361

% of total

68.3%

Change from 2016

-4.8pp

Punjabi

2021 count

338

% of total

5.3%

Change from 2016

+3.8pp

Not stated

2021 count

194

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Arabic

2021 count

123

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Gujarati

2021 count

122

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Italian

2021 count

115

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Hindi

2021 count

80

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Mandarin

2021 count

62

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Urdu

2021 count

61

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Greek

2021 count

58

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Valley View (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Language used at home for Valley View (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
English4,36168.3%62.9%4,44573.1%67.2%-84-4.8pp
Punjabi3385.3%2.4%891.5%0.9%+249+3.8pp
Not stated1943.0%4.6%2333.8%4.8%-39-0.8pp
Arabic1231.9%1.6%941.5%1.2%+29+0.4pp
Gujarati1221.9%1.2%631.0%0.7%+59+0.9pp
Italian1151.8%1.1%1151.9%1.4%0-0.1pp
Hindi801.3%0.8%641.1%0.6%+16+0.2pp
Mandarin621.0%1.0%821.3%1.3%-20-0.3pp
Urdu611.0%0.5%230.4%0.3%+38+0.6pp
Greek580.9%0.8%751.2%0.9%-17-0.3pp
Total6,385100.0%100.0%6,083100.0%100.0%+3020.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.