Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Hills (DC), accounting for 90.5% (37,020 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,088 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Adelaide Hills (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Adelaide Hills (DC) 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 Hills (DC), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
Not stated
German
Italian
Mandarin
Polish
French
Spanish
Afrikaans
Greek
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,088
+0.6pp
Not stated
-149
-0.6pp
German
-54
-0.2pp
Italian
-97
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+104
+0.3pp
Polish
-3
0.0pp
French
+11
0.0pp
Spanish
+9
0.0pp
Afrikaans
0
0.0pp
Greek
-18
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Adelaide Hills (DC). 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 | 37,020 | 90.5% | 74.8% | 34,932 | 89.9% | 75.4% | +2,088 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,609 | 3.9% | 3.8% | 1,758 | 4.5% | 4.9% | -149 | -0.6pp |
| German | 250 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 304 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -54 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 248 | 0.6% | 1.6% | 345 | 0.9% | 2.1% | -97 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 227 | 0.6% | 2.2% | 123 | 0.3% | 2.1% | +104 | +0.3pp |
| Polish | 111 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 114 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| French | 100 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 89 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 97 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 88 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 82 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 82 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 81 | 0.2% | 1.5% | 99 | 0.3% | 1.7% | -18 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 40,888 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38,856 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,032 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.