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 Barossa (DC), accounting for 93.5% (23,436 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,651 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Barossa (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Barossa (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Barossa (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
23,436
% of total
93.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
23,436
93.5%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
966
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
966
3.9%
-1.3pp
German
2021 count
146
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
146
0.6%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
65
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
65
0.3%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
58
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
58
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
37
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
37
0.1%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
27
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
27
0.1%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
22
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22
0.1%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
21
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.1%
+0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
18
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
18
0.1%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,651
+0.9pp
Not stated
-269
-1.3pp
German
-13
-0.1pp
Italian
+11
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+22
0.0pp
Spanish
+12
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+16
+0.1pp
French
-2
0.0pp
Greek
+16
+0.1pp
Dutch
-6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Barossa (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 | 23,436 | 93.5% | 87.7% | 21,785 | 92.6% | 87.9% | +1,651 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 966 | 3.9% | 6.9% | 1,235 | 5.2% | 7.1% | -269 | -1.3pp |
| German | 146 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 159 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -13 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 65 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 54 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 58 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +22 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 37 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 27 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 11 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| French | 22 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 21 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.4% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 18 | 0.1% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 25,059 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,538 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,521 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.