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 Playford (C), accounting for 78.9% (78,212 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,936 people, while its share fell by 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Playford (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Playford (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Playford (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
78,212
% of total
78.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
78,212
78.9%
-2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,871
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
5,871
5.9%
-0.8pp
Nepali
2021 count
1,357
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,357
1.4%
+0.7pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
1,238
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,238
1.2%
+0.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
915
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
915
0.9%
0.0pp
Dinka
2021 count
819
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
819
0.8%
-0.1pp
Swahili
2021 count
752
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
752
0.8%
+0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
571
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
571
0.6%
+0.1pp
Kirundi (Rundi)
2021 count
557
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
557
0.6%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
528
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
528
0.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,936
-2.0pp
Not stated
-90
-0.8pp
Nepali
+707
+0.7pp
Hazaraghi
+699
+0.6pp
Vietnamese
+88
0.0pp
Dinka
+22
-0.1pp
Swahili
+309
+0.3pp
Arabic
+124
+0.1pp
Kirundi (Rundi)
+50
0.0pp
Italian
-118
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Playford (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| English | 78,212 | 78.9% | 74.8% | 72,276 | 80.9% | 75.4% | +5,936 | -2.0pp |
| Not stated | 5,871 | 5.9% | 3.8% | 5,961 | 6.7% | 4.9% | -90 | -0.8pp |
| Nepali | 1,357 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 650 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +707 | +0.7pp |
| Hazaraghi | 1,238 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 539 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +699 | +0.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 915 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 827 | 0.9% | 1.4% | +88 | 0.0pp |
| Dinka | 819 | 0.8% | 0.1% | 797 | 0.9% | 0.1% | +22 | -0.1pp |
| Swahili | 752 | 0.8% | 0.2% | 443 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +309 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 571 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 447 | 0.5% | 0.7% | +124 | +0.1pp |
| Kirundi (Rundi) | 557 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 507 | 0.6% | 0.1% | +50 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 528 | 0.5% | 1.6% | 646 | 0.7% | 2.1% | -118 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 99,145 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 89,339 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,806 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.