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 Norwood Payneham St Peters (C), accounting for 70.2% (26,290 people). This share was lower than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,946 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Norwood Payneham St Peters (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Norwood Payneham St Peters (C) 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 Norwood Payneham St Peters (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
26,290
% of total
70.2%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
26,290
70.2%
+1.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,992
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,992
5.3%
+0.7pp
Italian
2021 count
1,866
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,866
5.0%
-1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,228
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,228
3.3%
-1.3pp
Greek
2021 count
737
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
737
2.0%
-0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
464
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
464
1.2%
+0.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
456
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
456
1.2%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
315
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
315
0.8%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
304
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
304
0.8%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
302
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
302
0.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,946
+1.3pp
Mandarin
+364
+0.7pp
Italian
-442
-1.5pp
Not stated
-416
-1.3pp
Greek
-49
-0.2pp
Punjabi
+213
+0.5pp
Cantonese
+67
+0.1pp
Hindi
+34
0.0pp
Spanish
+105
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+53
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Norwood Payneham St Peters (C). 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 | 26,290 | 70.2% | 74.8% | 24,344 | 68.9% | 75.4% | +1,946 | +1.3pp |
| Mandarin | 1,992 | 5.3% | 2.2% | 1,628 | 4.6% | 2.1% | +364 | +0.7pp |
| Italian | 1,866 | 5.0% | 1.6% | 2,308 | 6.5% | 2.1% | -442 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,228 | 3.3% | 3.8% | 1,644 | 4.6% | 4.9% | -416 | -1.3pp |
| Greek | 737 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 786 | 2.2% | 1.7% | -49 | -0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 464 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 251 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +213 | +0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 456 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 389 | 1.1% | 0.7% | +67 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 315 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 281 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +34 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 304 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 199 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +105 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 302 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 249 | 0.7% | 1.4% | +53 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 37,475 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 35,357 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,118 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.