Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Light (RegC), accounting for 93.2% (14,676 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 960 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Light (RegC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Light (RegC) 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 Light (RegC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
Not stated
Italian
German
Mandarin
Afrikaans
Vietnamese
Japanese
Russian
Greek
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+960
0.0pp
Not stated
+56
+0.1pp
Italian
+12
+0.1pp
German
-10
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+12
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
-3
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+4
0.0pp
Japanese
+12
+0.1pp
Russian
+9
+0.1pp
Greek
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Light (RegC). 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 | 14,676 | 93.2% | 87.7% | 13,716 | 93.2% | 87.9% | +960 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 720 | 4.6% | 6.9% | 664 | 4.5% | 7.1% | +56 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 45 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 33 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| German | 44 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 54 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 30 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 20 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 23 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 17 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Russian | 13 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 4 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 11 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.4% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 15,744 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,715 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,029 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.