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 Darlington (SA) (part), accounting for 73.2% (914 people). This share was lower than Onkaparinga (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 4,290 people and 7.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Darlington (SA) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Darlington (SA) (part) 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 Darlington (SA) (part), with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
English
2021 count
914
% of total
73.2%
Change from 2016
-7.3pp
914
73.2%
-7.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
70
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
70
5.6%
-3.6pp
Greek
2021 count
41
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
41
3.3%
+3.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
30
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
30
2.4%
+2.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
21
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
21
1.7%
+1.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
19
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
19
1.5%
+1.5pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
18
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
18
1.4%
+1.3pp
Polish
2021 count
16
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
16
1.3%
+1.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
15
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
15
1.2%
+0.6pp
Cantonese
2021 count
15
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
15
1.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-4,290
-7.3pp
Not stated
-527
-3.6pp
Greek
+37
+3.2pp
Mandarin
+23
+2.3pp
Hindi
+16
+1.6pp
Punjabi
+16
+1.5pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+10
+1.3pp
Polish
+3
+1.1pp
Vietnamese
-26
+0.6pp
Arabic
+3
+0.9pp
Data table
Language used at home for Darlington (SA) (part). 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 | 914 | 73.2% | 89.0% | 5,204 | 80.5% | 88.3% | -4,290 | -7.3pp |
| Not stated | 70 | 5.6% | 3.9% | 597 | 9.2% | 5.0% | -527 | -3.6pp |
| Greek | 41 | 3.3% | 0.3% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +37 | +3.2pp |
| Mandarin | 30 | 2.4% | 0.5% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +23 | +2.3pp |
| Hindi | 21 | 1.7% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +16 | +1.6pp |
| Punjabi | 19 | 1.5% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +16 | +1.5pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 18 | 1.4% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +10 | +1.3pp |
| Polish | 16 | 1.3% | 0.4% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +3 | +1.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 15 | 1.2% | 0.1% | 41 | 0.6% | 0.1% | -26 | +0.6pp |
| Cantonese | 15 | 1.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 1,249 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,464 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -5,215 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.