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 Nairne, accounting for 92.1% (4,895 people). This share was higher than Mount Barker (DC) (91%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 234 people, while its share fell by 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Nairne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Nairne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mount Barker (DC) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Nairne, with comparison markers for Mount Barker (DC).
English
2021 count
4,895
% of total
92.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
4,895
92.1%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
241
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
241
4.5%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
36
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
36
0.7%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
16
0.3%
-
Japanese
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15
0.3%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.2%
0.0pp
Polish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+234
-0.5pp
Not stated
+12
-0.1pp
German
+14
+0.3pp
Japanese
+8
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+2
0.0pp
Polish
+7
+0.1pp
French
0
0.0pp
Thai
+4
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Nairne. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Barker (DC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mount Barker (DC)% | Count | % | Mount Barker (DC)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,895 | 92.1% | 91.0% | 4,661 | 92.6% | 91.0% | +234 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 241 | 4.5% | 4.0% | 229 | 4.6% | 5.0% | +12 | -0.1pp |
| German | 36 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 22 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 16 | 0.3% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Japanese | 15 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Polish | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| French | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 5,314 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,032 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +282 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.