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 No usual address (SA), accounting for 67.5% (2,261 people). This share was lower than South Australia (77.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 327 people, while its share fell by 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
No usual address (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for No usual address (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against South Australia and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for No usual address (SA), with comparison markers for South Australia.
English
2021 count
2,261
% of total
67.5%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,261
67.5%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
806
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
806
24.0%
+3.5pp
Pitjantjatjara
2021 count
24
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
24
0.7%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
23
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
23
0.7%
-0.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
21
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
21
0.6%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
20
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
20
0.6%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
19
0.6%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
18
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.5%
+0.2pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
12
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
12
0.4%
+0.3pp
French
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+327
-1.1pp
Not stated
+228
+3.5pp
Pitjantjatjara
+11
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-23
-0.9pp
Arabic
+14
+0.4pp
Italian
+2
0.0pp
Cantonese
+10
+0.3pp
Spanish
+9
+0.2pp
Inadequately described
+8
+0.3pp
French
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for No usual address (SA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with South Australia.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | South Australia% | Count | % | South Australia% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,261 | 67.5% | 77.7% | 1,934 | 68.6% | 78.2% | +327 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 806 | 24.0% | 4.5% | 578 | 20.5% | 5.4% | +228 | +3.5pp |
| Pitjantjatjara | 24 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.7% | 1.8% | 46 | 1.6% | 1.7% | -23 | -0.9pp |
| Arabic | 21 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +14 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 20 | 0.6% | 1.3% | 18 | 0.6% | 1.7% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 19 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 18 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Inadequately described | 12 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| French | 10 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 3,352 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,819 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +533 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.