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 Onkaparinga (C), accounting for 89% (155,870 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 8,572 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Onkaparinga (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Onkaparinga (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Onkaparinga (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
155,870
% of total
89.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
155,870
89.0%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
6,834
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
6,834
3.9%
-1.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
914
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
914
0.5%
0.0pp
Polish
2021 count
643
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
643
0.4%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
641
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
641
0.4%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
633
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
633
0.4%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
596
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
596
0.3%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
578
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
578
0.3%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
470
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
470
0.3%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
428
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
428
0.2%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+8,572
+0.7pp
Not stated
-1,502
-1.1pp
Mandarin
+99
0.0pp
Polish
-57
0.0pp
German
-131
-0.1pp
Arabic
+132
+0.1pp
Greek
-33
-0.1pp
Italian
-73
-0.1pp
Spanish
+51
0.0pp
Punjabi
+234
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Onkaparinga (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 | 155,870 | 89.0% | 74.8% | 147,298 | 88.3% | 75.4% | +8,572 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 6,834 | 3.9% | 3.8% | 8,336 | 5.0% | 4.9% | -1,502 | -1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 914 | 0.5% | 2.2% | 815 | 0.5% | 2.1% | +99 | 0.0pp |
| Polish | 643 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 700 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -57 | 0.0pp |
| German | 641 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 772 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -131 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 633 | 0.4% | 0.8% | 501 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +132 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 596 | 0.3% | 1.5% | 629 | 0.4% | 1.7% | -33 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 578 | 0.3% | 1.6% | 651 | 0.4% | 2.1% | -73 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 470 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 419 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +51 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 428 | 0.2% | 1.4% | 194 | 0.1% | 0.7% | +234 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 175,167 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 166,751 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,416 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.