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 Copper Coast (DC), accounting for 90.9% (13,674 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 933 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Copper Coast (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Copper Coast (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 Copper Coast (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
13,674
% of total
90.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
13,674
90.9%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,024
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,024
6.8%
-1.0pp
Greek
2021 count
37
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
37
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
36
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
36
0.2%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
21
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
21
0.1%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
21
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.1%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
20
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
20
0.1%
0.0pp
Narungga
2021 count
19
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.1%
-
Thai
2021 count
14
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.1%
-
Malayalam
2021 count
13
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+933
+0.6pp
Not stated
-73
-1.0pp
Greek
+13
0.0pp
Italian
+1
0.0pp
Afrikaans
-7
-0.1pp
Spanish
+5
0.0pp
Mandarin
+3
0.0pp
Malayalam
-6
0.0pp
Filipino
+8
+0.1pp
Dutch
-7
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Copper Coast (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 | 13,674 | 90.9% | 87.7% | 12,741 | 90.3% | 87.9% | +933 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,024 | 6.8% | 6.9% | 1,097 | 7.8% | 7.1% | -73 | -1.0pp |
| Greek | 37 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 36 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 35 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 21 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 28 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 16 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 20 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Narungga | 19 | 0.1% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Thai | 14 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Malayalam | 13 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 19 | 0.1% | 0.0% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 15,041 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,115 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +926 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.