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 (SA), accounting for 85.8% (1,568 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 28 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mitcham (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mitcham (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 Mitcham (SA), with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
2021 count
1,568
% of total
85.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
1,568
85.8%
+1.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
40
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
40
2.2%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
31
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
31
1.7%
-3.2pp
Italian
2021 count
24
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
24
1.3%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
19
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
19
1.0%
+0.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
17
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
17
0.9%
+0.7pp
Greek
2021 count
15
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
15
0.8%
-0.7pp
French
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.6%
-
Russian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
11
0.6%
+0.3pp
Bengali
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+28
+1.3pp
Mandarin
+16
+0.9pp
Not stated
-58
-3.2pp
Italian
+2
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+13
+0.7pp
Arabic
+13
+0.7pp
Greek
-13
-0.7pp
Russian
+6
+0.3pp
Spanish
-7
-0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mitcham (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 | 1,568 | 85.8% | 82.5% | 1,540 | 84.5% | 81.7% | +28 | +1.3pp |
| Mandarin | 40 | 2.2% | 2.5% | 24 | 1.3% | 2.3% | +16 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 31 | 1.7% | 2.4% | 89 | 4.9% | 3.6% | -58 | -3.2pp |
| Italian | 24 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 22 | 1.2% | 0.9% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 19 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 6 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +13 | +0.7pp |
| Arabic | 17 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +13 | +0.7pp |
| Greek | 15 | 0.8% | 1.9% | 28 | 1.5% | 2.2% | -13 | -0.7pp |
| French | 11 | 0.6% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Russian | 11 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Bengali | 11 | 0.6% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 1,828 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,823 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.