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 St Marys (SA), accounting for 63.3% (1,891 people). This share was lower than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 204 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
St Marys (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for St Marys (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 St Marys (SA), with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
2021 count
1,891
% of total
63.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
1,891
63.3%
+1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
112
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
112
3.7%
-0.9pp
Nepali
2021 count
100
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
100
3.3%
+2.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
76
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
76
2.5%
+1.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
72
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
72
2.4%
-0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
70
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
70
2.3%
-1.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
66
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
66
2.2%
+0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
63
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
63
2.1%
+0.5pp
Hindi
2021 count
42
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
42
1.4%
+0.1pp
Urdu
2021 count
37
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
37
1.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+204
+1.3pp
Not stated
-12
-0.9pp
Nepali
+76
+2.4pp
Punjabi
+45
+1.4pp
Mandarin
-9
-0.6pp
Greek
-36
-1.6pp
Arabic
+14
+0.3pp
Malayalam
+20
+0.5pp
Hindi
+7
+0.1pp
Urdu
+5
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for St Marys (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 | 1,891 | 63.3% | 82.5% | 1,687 | 62.0% | 81.7% | +204 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 112 | 3.7% | 2.4% | 124 | 4.6% | 3.6% | -12 | -0.9pp |
| Nepali | 100 | 3.3% | 0.6% | 24 | 0.9% | 0.2% | +76 | +2.4pp |
| Punjabi | 76 | 2.5% | 0.4% | 31 | 1.1% | 0.2% | +45 | +1.4pp |
| Mandarin | 72 | 2.4% | 2.5% | 81 | 3.0% | 2.3% | -9 | -0.6pp |
| Greek | 70 | 2.3% | 1.9% | 106 | 3.9% | 2.2% | -36 | -1.6pp |
| Arabic | 66 | 2.2% | 0.6% | 52 | 1.9% | 0.6% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 63 | 2.1% | 0.3% | 43 | 1.6% | 0.2% | +20 | +0.5pp |
| Hindi | 42 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 35 | 1.3% | 0.3% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Urdu | 37 | 1.2% | 0.3% | 32 | 1.2% | 0.3% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,988 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,722 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +266 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.