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 Marion (C), accounting for 76% (72,015 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,861 people, while its share fell by 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Marion (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Marion (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Marion (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
72,015
% of total
76.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
72,015
76.0%
-0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,952
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
2,952
3.1%
-1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,940
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
2,940
3.1%
+0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
1,704
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
1,704
1.8%
+1.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
1,132
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,132
1.2%
+0.5pp
Greek
2021 count
1,075
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,075
1.1%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,044
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,044
1.1%
-0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
896
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
896
0.9%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
834
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
834
0.9%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
664
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
664
0.7%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,861
-0.9pp
Not stated
-819
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+420
+0.3pp
Nepali
+1,249
+1.3pp
Punjabi
+555
+0.5pp
Greek
-37
-0.2pp
Arabic
-238
-0.3pp
Cantonese
+76
0.0pp
Hindi
+202
+0.2pp
Italian
-29
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Marion (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 | 72,015 | 76.0% | 74.8% | 68,154 | 76.9% | 75.4% | +3,861 | -0.9pp |
| Not stated | 2,952 | 3.1% | 3.8% | 3,771 | 4.3% | 4.9% | -819 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 2,940 | 3.1% | 2.2% | 2,520 | 2.8% | 2.1% | +420 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 1,704 | 1.8% | 0.7% | 455 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +1,249 | +1.3pp |
| Punjabi | 1,132 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 577 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +555 | +0.5pp |
| Greek | 1,075 | 1.1% | 1.5% | 1,112 | 1.3% | 1.7% | -37 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 1,044 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 1,282 | 1.4% | 0.7% | -238 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 896 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 820 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +76 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 834 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 632 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +202 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 664 | 0.7% | 1.6% | 693 | 0.8% | 2.1% | -29 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 94,698 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 88,584 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,114 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.