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 Coober Pedy (DC), accounting for 58.6% (910 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 150 people and 2.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Coober Pedy (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Coober Pedy (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 Coober Pedy (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.

Coober Pedy (DC)
Regional SA

English

2021 count

910

% of total

58.6%

Change from 2016

-2.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

306

% of total

19.7%

Change from 2016

+4.1pp

Sinhalese

2021 count

71

% of total

4.6%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

Greek

2021 count

70

% of total

4.5%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Croatian

2021 count

30

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Serbian

2021 count

23

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Yankunytjatjara

2021 count

21

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

German

2021 count

15

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Pitjantjatjara

2021 count

14

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Italian

2021 count

12

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for Coober Pedy (DC). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.

Language used at home for Coober Pedy (DC). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
Language used at home for Coober Pedy (DC). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional SA%Count%Regional SA%Countpp
English91058.6%87.7%1,06061.1%87.9%-150-2.5pp
Not stated30619.7%6.9%27115.6%7.1%+35+4.1pp
Sinhalese714.6%0.1%583.3%0.0%+13+1.3pp
Greek704.5%0.4%865.0%0.4%-16-0.5pp
Croatian301.9%0.1%281.6%0.1%+2+0.3pp
Serbian231.5%0.0%191.1%0.0%+4+0.4pp
Yankunytjatjara211.4%0.1%100.6%0.0%+11+0.8pp
German151.0%0.2%231.3%0.3%-8-0.3pp
Pitjantjatjara140.9%0.5%90.5%0.5%+5+0.4pp
Italian120.8%0.3%130.7%0.4%-1+0.1pp
Total1,552100.0%100.0%1,735100.0%100.0%-1830.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.