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 Elizabeth Downs, accounting for 80.2% (4,119 people). This share was higher than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 56 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Elizabeth Downs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Elizabeth Downs in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Playford (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Elizabeth Downs, with comparison markers for Playford (C).
English
2021 count
4,119
% of total
80.2%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
4,119
80.2%
-2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
434
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
434
8.4%
+0.8pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
66
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
66
1.3%
+0.6pp
Kirundi (Rundi)
2021 count
62
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
62
1.2%
-0.2pp
Swahili
2021 count
59
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
59
1.1%
+0.1pp
Khmer
2021 count
29
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
29
0.6%
+0.1pp
Romanian
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
23
0.4%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
21
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.4%
+0.1pp
Dari
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.4%
0.0pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
17
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-56
-2.2pp
Not stated
+47
+0.8pp
Hazaraghi
+32
+0.6pp
Kirundi (Rundi)
-9
-0.2pp
Swahili
+10
+0.1pp
Khmer
+3
+0.1pp
Romanian
-7
-0.2pp
Arabic
+6
+0.1pp
Dari
0
0.0pp
Kurdish
-12
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Elizabeth Downs. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Playford (C)% | Count | % | Playford (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,119 | 80.2% | 78.9% | 4,175 | 82.4% | 80.9% | -56 | -2.2pp |
| Not stated | 434 | 8.4% | 5.9% | 387 | 7.6% | 6.7% | +47 | +0.8pp |
| Hazaraghi | 66 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 34 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +32 | +0.6pp |
| Kirundi (Rundi) | 62 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 71 | 1.4% | 0.6% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Swahili | 59 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 49 | 1.0% | 0.5% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Khmer | 29 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 26 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Romanian | 23 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 30 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 21 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 15 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Dari | 19 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 19 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Inadequately described | 17 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 5,138 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,068 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +70 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.