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 Edwardstown, accounting for 67.4% (3,035 people). This share was lower than Marion (C) (76%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 147 people and 3.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Edwardstown - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Edwardstown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Marion (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Edwardstown, with comparison markers for Marion (C).

Edwardstown
Marion (C)

English

2021 count

3,035

% of total

67.4%

Change from 2016

-3.4pp

Mandarin

2021 count

194

% of total

4.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Nepali

2021 count

193

% of total

4.3%

Change from 2016

+3.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

172

% of total

3.8%

Change from 2016

-2.8pp

Greek

2021 count

82

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Punjabi

2021 count

66

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Cantonese

2021 count

58

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Arabic

2021 count

51

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Hindi

2021 count

47

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Spanish

2021 count

44

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Data table

Language used at home for Edwardstown. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).

Language used at home for Edwardstown. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).
Language used at home for Edwardstown. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Marion (C)%Count%Marion (C)%Countpp
English3,03567.4%76.0%3,05070.8%76.9%-15-3.4pp
Mandarin1944.3%3.1%1764.1%2.8%+18+0.2pp
Nepali1934.3%1.8%461.1%0.5%+147+3.2pp
Not stated1723.8%3.1%2846.6%4.3%-112-2.8pp
Greek821.8%1.1%962.2%1.3%-14-0.4pp
Punjabi661.5%1.2%511.2%0.7%+15+0.3pp
Cantonese581.3%0.9%481.1%0.9%+10+0.2pp
Arabic511.1%1.1%491.1%1.4%+20.0pp
Hindi471.0%0.9%411.0%0.7%+60.0pp
Spanish441.0%0.6%190.4%0.4%+25+0.6pp
Total4,502100.0%100.0%4,307100.0%100.0%+1950.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.