Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Adelaide, accounting for 49.2% (8,940 people). This share was lower than Adelaide (C) (55.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,212 people and 4.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Adelaide - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Adelaide in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Adelaide (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide, with comparison markers for Adelaide (C).
English
Mandarin
Not stated
Cantonese
Vietnamese
Hindi
Korean
Spanish
Arabic
Chinese, nfd
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,212
+4.7pp
Mandarin
+292
-1.7pp
Not stated
-217
-3.2pp
Cantonese
+28
-0.7pp
Vietnamese
+196
+0.9pp
Hindi
+174
+0.8pp
Korean
-5
-0.4pp
Spanish
+22
-0.1pp
Arabic
-104
-0.9pp
Chinese, nfd
-61
-0.6pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Adelaide. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Adelaide (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | % | Adelaide (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 8,940 | 49.2% | 55.9% | 6,728 | 44.5% | 52.8% | +2,212 | +4.7pp |
| Mandarin | 3,246 | 17.9% | 13.8% | 2,954 | 19.6% | 14.6% | +292 | -1.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,552 | 8.5% | 8.2% | 1,769 | 11.7% | 11.0% | -217 | -3.2pp |
| Cantonese | 770 | 4.2% | 3.3% | 742 | 4.9% | 3.6% | +28 | -0.7pp |
| Vietnamese | 368 | 2.0% | 1.7% | 172 | 1.1% | 1.1% | +196 | +0.9pp |
| Hindi | 279 | 1.5% | 1.4% | 105 | 0.7% | 0.8% | +174 | +0.8pp |
| Korean | 279 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 284 | 1.9% | 1.4% | -5 | -0.4pp |
| Spanish | 197 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 175 | 1.2% | 1.0% | +22 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 185 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 289 | 1.9% | 1.5% | -104 | -0.9pp |
| Chinese, nfd | 134 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 195 | 1.3% | 1.0% | -61 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 18,165 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,104 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,061 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.