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 Seaford (SA), accounting for 92% (4,125 people). This share was higher than Onkaparinga (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 159 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Seaford (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Seaford (SA) 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 Seaford (SA), with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).
English
2021 count
4,125
% of total
92.0%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
4,125
92.0%
+2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
156
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
156
3.5%
-2.2pp
German
2021 count
26
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.6%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
20
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
20
0.4%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.3%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
12
0.3%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.3%
+0.1pp
Polish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+159
+2.0pp
Not stated
-96
-2.2pp
German
+3
+0.1pp
Spanish
+3
0.0pp
Arabic
+11
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+9
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+1
+0.1pp
Polish
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Seaford (SA). 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 | 4,125 | 92.0% | 89.0% | 3,966 | 90.0% | 88.3% | +159 | +2.0pp |
| Not stated | 156 | 3.5% | 3.9% | 252 | 5.7% | 5.0% | -96 | -2.2pp |
| German | 26 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 23 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 20 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 14 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 12 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 12 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +1 | +0.1pp |
| Polish | 11 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,486 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,408 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +78 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.