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 Walkley Heights (part), accounting for 68.4% (2,404 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 93 people and 2.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Walkley Heights (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Walkley Heights (part)
Salisbury (C)

English

2021 count

2,404

% of total

68.4%

Change from 2016

-2.8pp

Punjabi

2021 count

171

% of total

4.9%

Change from 2016

+2.5pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

94

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

88

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Hindi

2021 count

51

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Hazaraghi

2021 count

44

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Gujarati

2021 count

44

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Bosnian

2021 count

42

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Italian

2021 count

41

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Malayalam

2021 count

40

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Walkley Heights (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Language used at home for Walkley Heights (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
English2,40468.4%62.9%2,49771.2%67.2%-93-2.8pp
Punjabi1714.9%2.4%852.4%0.9%+86+2.5pp
Vietnamese942.7%4.0%982.8%3.9%-4-0.1pp
Not stated882.5%4.6%1263.6%4.8%-38-1.1pp
Hindi511.5%0.8%240.7%0.6%+27+0.8pp
Hazaraghi441.3%2.4%110.3%1.1%+33+1.0pp
Gujarati441.3%1.2%250.7%0.7%+19+0.6pp
Bosnian421.2%0.2%330.9%0.2%+9+0.3pp
Italian411.2%1.1%471.3%1.4%-6-0.1pp
Malayalam401.1%0.4%240.7%0.4%+16+0.4pp
Total3,514100.0%100.0%3,507100.0%100.0%+70.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.