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 Alexandrina (DC), accounting for 92.5% (26,552 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,920 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Alexandrina (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Alexandrina (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Alexandrina (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
26,552
% of total
92.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
26,552
92.5%
+1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,404
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,404
4.9%
-1.2pp
German
2021 count
124
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
124
0.4%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
52
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
52
0.2%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
38
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.1%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
35
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
35
0.1%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
33
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
33
0.1%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
30
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
0.1%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
30
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
0.1%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
27
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,920
+1.2pp
Not stated
-182
-1.2pp
German
+8
0.0pp
Italian
-5
0.0pp
French
+13
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+16
0.0pp
Dutch
-21
-0.1pp
Greek
+4
0.0pp
Filipino
+13
0.0pp
Mandarin
-4
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Alexandrina (DC). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 26,552 | 92.5% | 87.7% | 23,632 | 91.3% | 87.9% | +2,920 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,404 | 4.9% | 6.9% | 1,586 | 6.1% | 7.1% | -182 | -1.2pp |
| German | 124 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 116 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 52 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 57 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| French | 38 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 35 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 19 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 33 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 54 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 30 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 26 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 30 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 27 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 31 | 0.1% | 0.3% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 28,720 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 25,871 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,849 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.