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 Charles Sturt (C), accounting for 69.5% (84,630 people). This share was lower than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 8,650 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Charles Sturt (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Charles Sturt (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 Charles Sturt (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
84,630
% of total
69.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
84,630
69.5%
+1.5pp
Italian
2021 count
4,648
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
4,648
3.8%
-1.2pp
Greek
2021 count
4,448
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
4,448
3.7%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,407
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
4,407
3.6%
-1.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
3,392
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3,392
2.8%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
2,087
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
2,087
1.7%
+0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,542
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,542
1.3%
-0.1pp
Serbian
2021 count
1,526
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,526
1.3%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,153
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,153
0.9%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
814
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
814
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+8,650
+1.5pp
Italian
-886
-1.2pp
Greek
-101
-0.4pp
Not stated
-904
-1.2pp
Vietnamese
+409
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+1,032
+0.8pp
Mandarin
-73
-0.1pp
Serbian
+148
+0.1pp
Arabic
+219
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+75
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Charles Sturt (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 | 84,630 | 69.5% | 74.8% | 75,980 | 68.0% | 75.4% | +8,650 | +1.5pp |
| Italian | 4,648 | 3.8% | 1.6% | 5,534 | 5.0% | 2.1% | -886 | -1.2pp |
| Greek | 4,448 | 3.7% | 1.5% | 4,549 | 4.1% | 1.7% | -101 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 4,407 | 3.6% | 3.8% | 5,311 | 4.8% | 4.9% | -904 | -1.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 3,392 | 2.8% | 1.5% | 2,983 | 2.7% | 1.4% | +409 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 2,087 | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1,055 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +1,032 | +0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 1,542 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 1,615 | 1.4% | 2.1% | -73 | -0.1pp |
| Serbian | 1,526 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 1,378 | 1.2% | 0.3% | +148 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 1,153 | 0.9% | 0.8% | 934 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +219 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 814 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 739 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +75 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 121,808 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 111,755 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,053 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.