Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Morphett Vale, accounting for 86.4% (20,739 people). This share was lower than Onkaparinga (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 696 people, while its share fell by 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Morphett Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Morphett Vale 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 Morphett Vale, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
English
Not stated
Arabic
Urdu
Mandarin
Polish
Greek
Spanish
German
Persian (excluding Dari)
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+696
-0.3pp
Not stated
-139
-0.8pp
Arabic
+38
+0.2pp
Urdu
+53
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+21
0.0pp
Polish
+6
0.0pp
Greek
+10
0.0pp
Spanish
+30
+0.1pp
German
-21
-0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+29
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Morphett Vale. 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 | 20,739 | 86.4% | 89.0% | 20,043 | 86.7% | 88.3% | +696 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,102 | 4.6% | 3.9% | 1,241 | 5.4% | 5.0% | -139 | -0.8pp |
| Arabic | 182 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 144 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +38 | +0.2pp |
| Urdu | 141 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 88 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +53 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 129 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 108 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| Polish | 102 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 96 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 96 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 86 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 95 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 65 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +30 | +0.1pp |
| German | 94 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 115 | 0.5% | 0.5% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 79 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 50 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +29 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 24,001 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,122 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +879 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.