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 decreased by 154 people and 2.4 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
-2.4pp
4,284
82.0%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
582
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
582
11.1%
+2.2pp
Swahili
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
23
0.4%
+0.3pp
Russian
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19
0.4%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19
0.4%
+0.2pp
Polish
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
18
0.3%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
16
0.3%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.3%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.3%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
14
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-154
-2.4pp
Not stated
+113
+2.2pp
Swahili
+16
+0.3pp
Russian
+10
+0.2pp
Arabic
+6
+0.2pp
Polish
-3
-0.1pp
German
-4
-0.1pp
Greek
-1
0.0pp
Malayalam
-4
0.0pp
Punjabi
+2
+0.1pp
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% | 4,438 | 84.4% | 88.3% | -154 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 582 | 11.1% | 3.9% | 469 | 8.9% | 5.0% | +113 | +2.2pp |
| Swahili | 23 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +16 | +0.3pp |
| Russian | 19 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 19 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Polish | 18 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 21 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| German | 16 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 16 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 5,225 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -33 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.