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 Gambier (C), accounting for 87.7% (23,553 people). This share was similar to Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 283 people, while its share fell by 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mount Gambier (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mount Gambier (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mount Gambier (C), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
23,553
% of total
87.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
23,553
87.7%
-0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,501
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,501
5.6%
+0.2pp
Karen
2021 count
380
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
380
1.4%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
164
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
164
0.6%
-0.3pp
Swahili
2021 count
82
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
82
0.3%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
80
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
80
0.3%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
62
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
62
0.2%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
59
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
59
0.2%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
52
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
52
0.2%
0.0pp
Urdu
2021 count
48
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
48
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+283
-0.9pp
Not stated
+79
+0.2pp
Karen
+67
+0.2pp
Italian
-60
-0.3pp
Swahili
-44
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+22
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+37
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+24
+0.1pp
Greek
-10
0.0pp
Urdu
+24
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mount Gambier (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 23,553 | 87.7% | 87.7% | 23,270 | 88.6% | 87.9% | +283 | -0.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,501 | 5.6% | 6.9% | 1,422 | 5.4% | 7.1% | +79 | +0.2pp |
| Karen | 380 | 1.4% | 0.1% | 313 | 1.2% | 0.1% | +67 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 164 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 224 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -60 | -0.3pp |
| Swahili | 82 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 126 | 0.5% | 0.1% | -44 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 80 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 58 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 62 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +37 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 59 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 52 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 62 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -10 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 48 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 26,869 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26,263 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +606 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.