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 Noarlunga Downs, accounting for 87.3% (3,515 people). This share was lower than Onkaparinga (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 182 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Noarlunga Downs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Noarlunga 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 Noarlunga Downs, with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
English
2021 count
3,515
% of total
87.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
3,515
87.3%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
189
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
189
4.7%
-0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
22
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
22
0.5%
+0.3pp
German
2021 count
19
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.5%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
19
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
19
0.5%
-0.2pp
Polish
2021 count
19
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
19
0.5%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.4%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.3%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.3%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+182
+0.2pp
Not stated
-15
-0.6pp
Greek
+13
+0.3pp
German
+1
0.0pp
Spanish
-9
-0.2pp
Polish
-8
-0.2pp
Mandarin
0
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+2
0.0pp
Tagalog
-3
-0.1pp
Filipino
0
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Noarlunga 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 | 3,515 | 87.3% | 89.0% | 3,333 | 87.1% | 88.3% | +182 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 189 | 4.7% | 3.9% | 204 | 5.3% | 5.0% | -15 | -0.6pp |
| Greek | 22 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| German | 19 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 18 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 19 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 28 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Polish | 19 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 27 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -8 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 15 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 15 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 4,027 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,826 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +201 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.