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 Adelaide (C), accounting for 55.9% (13,980 people). This share was lower than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,343 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Adelaide (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Adelaide (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Adelaide (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
13,980
% of total
55.9%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
13,980
55.9%
+3.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
3,440
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,440
13.8%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,051
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
2,051
8.2%
-2.8pp
Cantonese
2021 count
830
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
830
3.3%
-0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
433
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
433
1.7%
+0.6pp
Hindi
2021 count
346
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
346
1.4%
+0.6pp
Korean
2021 count
283
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
283
1.1%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
260
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
260
1.0%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
233
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
233
0.9%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
220
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
220
0.9%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,343
+3.1pp
Mandarin
+223
-0.8pp
Not stated
-371
-2.8pp
Cantonese
+36
-0.3pp
Vietnamese
+190
+0.6pp
Hindi
+175
+0.6pp
Korean
-17
-0.3pp
Spanish
+41
0.0pp
Greek
+5
-0.1pp
Arabic
-119
-0.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Adelaide (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| English | 13,980 | 55.9% | 74.8% | 11,637 | 52.8% | 75.4% | +2,343 | +3.1pp |
| Mandarin | 3,440 | 13.8% | 2.2% | 3,217 | 14.6% | 2.1% | +223 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 2,051 | 8.2% | 3.8% | 2,422 | 11.0% | 4.9% | -371 | -2.8pp |
| Cantonese | 830 | 3.3% | 0.7% | 794 | 3.6% | 0.7% | +36 | -0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 433 | 1.7% | 1.5% | 243 | 1.1% | 1.4% | +190 | +0.6pp |
| Hindi | 346 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 171 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +175 | +0.6pp |
| Korean | 283 | 1.1% | 0.3% | 300 | 1.4% | 0.3% | -17 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 260 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 219 | 1.0% | 0.4% | +41 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 233 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 228 | 1.0% | 1.7% | +5 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 220 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 339 | 1.5% | 0.7% | -119 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 25,007 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,043 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,964 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.