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 Burnside (C), accounting for 70.4% (32,387 people). This share was lower than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 1,100 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Burnside (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Burnside (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 Burnside (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
32,387
% of total
70.4%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
32,387
70.4%
-1.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
3,854
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
3,854
8.4%
+2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
988
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
988
2.1%
-1.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
912
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
912
2.0%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
887
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
887
1.9%
-0.5pp
Greek
2021 count
662
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
662
1.4%
-0.2pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
465
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
465
1.0%
+0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
430
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
430
0.9%
+0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
355
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
355
0.8%
+0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
323
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
323
0.7%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+756
-1.7pp
Mandarin
+1,100
+2.1pp
Not stated
-685
-1.7pp
Cantonese
+97
+0.1pp
Italian
-176
-0.5pp
Greek
-47
-0.2pp
Sinhalese
+183
+0.4pp
Hindi
+136
+0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+51
+0.1pp
Korean
-77
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Burnside (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 | 32,387 | 70.4% | 74.8% | 31,631 | 72.1% | 75.4% | +756 | -1.7pp |
| Mandarin | 3,854 | 8.4% | 2.2% | 2,754 | 6.3% | 2.1% | +1,100 | +2.1pp |
| Not stated | 988 | 2.1% | 3.8% | 1,673 | 3.8% | 4.9% | -685 | -1.7pp |
| Cantonese | 912 | 2.0% | 0.7% | 815 | 1.9% | 0.7% | +97 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 887 | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1,063 | 2.4% | 2.1% | -176 | -0.5pp |
| Greek | 662 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 709 | 1.6% | 1.7% | -47 | -0.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 465 | 1.0% | 0.3% | 282 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +183 | +0.4pp |
| Hindi | 430 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 294 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +136 | +0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 355 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 304 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +51 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 323 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 400 | 0.9% | 0.3% | -77 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 46,026 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 43,874 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,152 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.