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 Kangaroo Island (DC), accounting for 88.2% (4,294 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 181 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kangaroo Island (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Kangaroo Island (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kangaroo Island (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
4,294
% of total
88.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
4,294
88.2%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
400
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
400
8.2%
-1.0pp
German
2021 count
29
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
29
0.6%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
25
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
25
0.5%
+0.2pp
Dutch
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.3%
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
11
0.2%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+181
+0.8pp
Not stated
-35
-1.0pp
German
+3
0.0pp
Italian
+9
+0.2pp
Dutch
+5
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
+5
+0.1pp
French
-4
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+3
0.0pp
Mandarin
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Kangaroo Island (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 | 4,294 | 88.2% | 87.7% | 4,113 | 87.4% | 87.9% | +181 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 400 | 8.2% | 6.9% | 435 | 9.2% | 7.1% | -35 | -1.0pp |
| German | 29 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 26 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 25 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 16 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Dutch | 13 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 12 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| French | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 15 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,869 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,704 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +165 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.