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 East, accounting for 72.6% (3,311 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 123 people and 5.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Elizabeth East - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Elizabeth East 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 East, with comparison markers for Playford (C).

Elizabeth East
Playford (C)

English

2021 count

3,311

% of total

72.6%

Change from 2016

-5.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

468

% of total

10.3%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Hazaraghi

2021 count

147

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

Arabic

2021 count

76

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Nepali

2021 count

43

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Swahili

2021 count

43

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

40

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Dari

2021 count

37

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Chin Haka

2021 count

36

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Pashto

2021 count

35

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Language used at home for Elizabeth East. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).

Language used at home for Elizabeth East. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
Language used at home for Elizabeth East. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Playford (C)%Count%Playford (C)%Countpp
English3,31172.6%78.9%3,43478.1%80.9%-123-5.5pp
Not stated46810.3%5.9%3938.9%6.7%+75+1.4pp
Hazaraghi1473.2%1.2%841.9%0.6%+63+1.3pp
Arabic761.7%0.6%491.1%0.5%+27+0.6pp
Nepali430.9%1.4%340.8%0.7%+9+0.1pp
Swahili430.9%0.8%60.1%0.5%+37+0.8pp
Vietnamese400.9%0.9%250.6%0.9%+15+0.3pp
Dari370.8%0.4%701.6%0.5%-33-0.8pp
Chin Haka360.8%0.3%60.1%0.1%+30+0.7pp
Pashto350.8%0.1%200.5%0.1%+15+0.3pp
Total4,559100.0%100.0%4,398100.0%100.0%+1610.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.