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 Blackwood (SA), accounting for 90.1% (3,844 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 86 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Blackwood (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Blackwood (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Blackwood (SA), with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
2021 count
3,844
% of total
90.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3,844
90.1%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
93
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
93
2.2%
-1.5pp
German
2021 count
40
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
40
0.9%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
23
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.5%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15
0.4%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15
0.4%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.4%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
14
0.3%
-0.2pp
Polish
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.3%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+86
+0.1pp
Not stated
-63
-1.5pp
German
+10
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+1
0.0pp
Italian
-5
-0.1pp
Arabic
+6
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+3
+0.1pp
Spanish
-5
-0.2pp
Polish
+1
0.0pp
Hindi
+8
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Blackwood (SA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,844 | 90.1% | 82.5% | 3,758 | 90.0% | 81.7% | +86 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 93 | 2.2% | 2.4% | 156 | 3.7% | 3.6% | -63 | -1.5pp |
| German | 40 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 30 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.5% | 2.5% | 22 | 0.5% | 2.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 15 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 20 | 0.5% | 0.9% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 15 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 15 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 12 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 14 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 19 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Polish | 14 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 13 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 14 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,265 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,177 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +88 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.