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 Christies Beach, accounting for 88.5% (5,264 people). This share was lower than Onkaparinga (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 766 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Christies Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Christies Beach 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 Christies Beach, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
English
2021 count
5,264
% of total
88.5%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
5,264
88.5%
+4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
284
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-6.1pp
284
4.8%
-6.1pp
Italian
2021 count
31
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.5%
+0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
28
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
28
0.5%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
25
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
25
0.4%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
23
0.4%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
23
0.4%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
21
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.4%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
20
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
20
0.3%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+766
+4.9pp
Not stated
-304
-6.1pp
Italian
+8
+0.1pp
Portuguese
+22
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+8
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+10
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+7
+0.1pp
Greek
0
0.0pp
German
-1
-0.1pp
Arabic
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Christies Beach. 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 | 5,264 | 88.5% | 89.0% | 4,498 | 83.6% | 88.3% | +766 | +4.9pp |
| Not stated | 284 | 4.8% | 3.9% | 588 | 10.9% | 5.0% | -304 | -6.1pp |
| Italian | 31 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 23 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 28 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +22 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 25 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 23 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 23 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 16 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 21 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| German | 20 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 21 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 17 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 5,948 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,383 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +565 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.