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 Holdfast Bay (C), accounting for 86% (32,245 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,354 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Holdfast Bay (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Holdfast Bay (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Holdfast Bay (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
32,245
% of total
86.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
32,245
86.0%
+1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,234
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
1,234
3.3%
-2.5pp
Greek
2021 count
323
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
323
0.9%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
300
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
300
0.8%
-0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
265
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
265
0.7%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
242
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
242
0.6%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
223
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
223
0.6%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
189
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
189
0.5%
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
174
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
174
0.5%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
163
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
163
0.4%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,354
+1.3pp
Not stated
-810
-2.5pp
Greek
+15
0.0pp
Mandarin
-7
-0.1pp
Portuguese
+196
+0.5pp
Italian
-50
-0.2pp
Spanish
+84
+0.2pp
German
+15
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+28
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+54
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Holdfast Bay (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 | 32,245 | 86.0% | 74.8% | 29,891 | 84.7% | 75.4% | +2,354 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,234 | 3.3% | 3.8% | 2,044 | 5.8% | 4.9% | -810 | -2.5pp |
| Greek | 323 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 308 | 0.9% | 1.7% | +15 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 300 | 0.8% | 2.2% | 307 | 0.9% | 2.1% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 265 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 69 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +196 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 242 | 0.6% | 1.6% | 292 | 0.8% | 2.1% | -50 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 223 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 139 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +84 | +0.2pp |
| German | 189 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 174 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +15 | 0.0pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 174 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 146 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 163 | 0.4% | 1.4% | 109 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +54 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 37,504 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 35,293 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,211 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.