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 Berri and Barmera (DC), accounting for 84.9% (8,895 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 60 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Berri and Barmera (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Berri and Barmera (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 Berri and Barmera (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
8,895
% of total
84.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
8,895
84.9%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
560
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
560
5.3%
-1.6pp
Greek
2021 count
342
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
342
3.3%
-0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
200
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
200
1.9%
+0.6pp
Italian
2021 count
43
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
43
0.4%
-0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
39
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
39
0.4%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
33
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
0.3%
+0.1pp
Tongan
2021 count
29
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
29
0.3%
-
Croatian
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
26
0.2%
-0.1pp
Telugu
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
23
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+40
+0.7pp
Not stated
-162
-1.6pp
Greek
-46
-0.4pp
Punjabi
+60
+0.6pp
Italian
-26
-0.3pp
Filipino
+8
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+8
+0.1pp
Croatian
-9
-0.1pp
Telugu
+17
+0.1pp
Tagalog
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Berri and Barmera (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 | 8,895 | 84.9% | 87.7% | 8,855 | 84.2% | 87.9% | +40 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 560 | 5.3% | 6.9% | 722 | 6.9% | 7.1% | -162 | -1.6pp |
| Greek | 342 | 3.3% | 0.4% | 388 | 3.7% | 0.4% | -46 | -0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 200 | 1.9% | 0.3% | 140 | 1.3% | 0.2% | +60 | +0.6pp |
| Italian | 43 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 69 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -26 | -0.3pp |
| Filipino | 39 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 31 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Tongan | 29 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Croatian | 26 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 35 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Telugu | 23 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 10,471 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,519 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -48 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.