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 Mitcham (C), accounting for 82.5% (55,762 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,860 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mitcham (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mitcham (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 Mitcham (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
55,762
% of total
82.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
55,762
82.5%
+0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,699
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,699
2.5%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,613
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,613
2.4%
-1.2pp
Greek
2021 count
1,289
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,289
1.9%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
453
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
453
0.7%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
415
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
415
0.6%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
392
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
392
0.6%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
380
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
380
0.6%
+0.4pp
German
2021 count
356
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
356
0.5%
-0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
292
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
292
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,860
+0.8pp
Mandarin
+206
+0.2pp
Not stated
-749
-1.2pp
Greek
-107
-0.3pp
Italian
-126
-0.2pp
Arabic
+49
0.0pp
Cantonese
+17
0.0pp
Nepali
+236
+0.4pp
German
-49
-0.1pp
Punjabi
+147
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mitcham (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 | 55,762 | 82.5% | 74.8% | 52,902 | 81.7% | 75.4% | +2,860 | +0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 1,699 | 2.5% | 2.2% | 1,493 | 2.3% | 2.1% | +206 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,613 | 2.4% | 3.8% | 2,362 | 3.6% | 4.9% | -749 | -1.2pp |
| Greek | 1,289 | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1,396 | 2.2% | 1.7% | -107 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 453 | 0.7% | 1.6% | 579 | 0.9% | 2.1% | -126 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 415 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 366 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +49 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 392 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 375 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 380 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 144 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +236 | +0.4pp |
| German | 356 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 405 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -49 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 292 | 0.4% | 1.4% | 145 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +147 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 67,580 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 64,787 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,793 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.