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 Mount Barker (DC), accounting for 91% (35,652 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,293 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mount Barker (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mount Barker (DC) 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 Mount Barker (DC), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
35,652
% of total
91.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
35,652
91.0%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,575
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,575
4.0%
-1.0pp
German
2021 count
198
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
198
0.5%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
146
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
146
0.4%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
131
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
131
0.3%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
112
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
112
0.3%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
96
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
96
0.2%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
77
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
77
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
73
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
73
0.2%
+0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
70
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
70
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,293
0.0pp
Not stated
-102
-1.0pp
German
+17
0.0pp
Mandarin
+75
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+47
0.0pp
Italian
+2
0.0pp
Dutch
+27
0.0pp
Punjabi
+46
+0.1pp
Filipino
+25
+0.1pp
Japanese
+11
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mount Barker (DC). 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 | 35,652 | 91.0% | 74.8% | 30,359 | 91.0% | 75.4% | +5,293 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,575 | 4.0% | 3.8% | 1,677 | 5.0% | 4.9% | -102 | -1.0pp |
| German | 198 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 181 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 146 | 0.4% | 2.2% | 71 | 0.2% | 2.1% | +75 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 131 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 84 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +47 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 112 | 0.3% | 1.6% | 110 | 0.3% | 2.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 96 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 69 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +27 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 77 | 0.2% | 1.4% | 31 | 0.1% | 0.7% | +46 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 73 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 48 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +25 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 70 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 59 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 39,190 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,369 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,821 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.