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 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 spoken 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
Not stated
Nepali
Hazaraghi
Vietnamese
Dinka
Swahili
Arabic
Kirundi (Rundi)
Italian
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 spoken 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.