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 Woodcroft (SA), accounting for 89.5% (10,127 people). This share was higher than Onkaparinga (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 143 people, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Woodcroft (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Woodcroft (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 Woodcroft (SA), with comparison markers for Onkaparinga (C).

Woodcroft (SA)
Onkaparinga (C)

English

2021 count

10,127

% of total

89.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

226

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Urdu

2021 count

91

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Arabic

2021 count

84

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Malayalam

2021 count

71

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Mandarin

2021 count

67

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Polish

2021 count

65

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Punjabi

2021 count

58

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

44

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Persian (excluding Dari)

2021 count

40

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for Woodcroft (SA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).

Language used at home for Woodcroft (SA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
Language used at home for Woodcroft (SA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Onkaparinga (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Onkaparinga (C)%Count%Onkaparinga (C)%Countpp
English10,12789.5%89.0%9,98489.7%88.3%+143-0.2pp
Not stated2262.0%3.9%2902.6%5.0%-64-0.6pp
Urdu910.8%0.2%900.8%0.2%+10.0pp
Arabic840.7%0.4%660.6%0.3%+18+0.1pp
Malayalam710.6%0.2%540.5%0.2%+17+0.1pp
Mandarin670.6%0.5%680.6%0.5%-10.0pp
Polish650.6%0.4%930.8%0.4%-28-0.2pp
Punjabi580.5%0.2%250.2%0.1%+33+0.3pp
Afrikaans440.4%0.2%220.2%0.2%+22+0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)400.4%0.2%560.5%0.2%-16-0.1pp
Total11,314100.0%100.0%11,128100.0%100.0%+1860.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.