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 Christie Downs, accounting for 82% (4,284 people). This share was lower than Onkaparinga (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,895 people, while its share fell by 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Christie Downs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Christie Downs in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Onkaparinga (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Christie Downs, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
English
2021 count
4,284
% of total
82.0%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
4,284
82.0%
-2.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
582
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+8.2pp
582
11.1%
+8.2pp
Swahili
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
23
0.4%
-
Russian
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
19
0.4%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.4%
-
Polish
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.3%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.3%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
16
0.3%
-1.8pp
Malayalam
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.3%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,895
-2.5pp
Not stated
+534
+8.2pp
Russian
+10
-0.1pp
Polish
+13
0.0pp
German
+11
0.0pp
Greek
-18
-1.8pp
Cantonese
-3
-0.8pp
Spanish
+5
-0.2pp
Mandarin
-40
-3.0pp
Italian
0
-0.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Christie Downs. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | % | Onkaparinga (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,284 | 82.0% | 89.0% | 1,389 | 84.5% | 88.3% | +2,895 | -2.5pp |
| Not stated | 582 | 11.1% | 3.9% | 48 | 2.9% | 5.0% | +534 | +8.2pp |
| Swahili | 23 | 0.4% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Russian | 19 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +10 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 19 | 0.4% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Polish | 18 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 5 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| German | 16 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 5 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 16 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 34 | 2.1% | 0.4% | -18 | -1.8pp |
| Malayalam | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 5,225 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,643 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,582 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.