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 Penfield Gardens, accounting for 63.4% (196 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 34 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Penfield Gardens - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Penfield Gardens 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 Penfield Gardens, with comparison markers for Playford (C).
English
2021 count
196
% of total
63.4%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
196
63.4%
-5.9pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
43
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
43
13.9%
+3.4pp
Italian
2021 count
20
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
20
6.5%
-1.0pp
Greek
2021 count
12
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
12
3.9%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
12
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
12
3.9%
+0.9pp
Malay
2021 count
11
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-
11
3.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-34
-5.9pp
Vietnamese
+8
+3.4pp
Italian
-5
-1.0pp
Greek
-2
-0.3pp
Not stated
+2
+0.9pp
Data table
Language used at home for Penfield Gardens. 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 | 196 | 63.4% | 78.9% | 230 | 69.3% | 80.9% | -34 | -5.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 43 | 13.9% | 0.9% | 35 | 10.5% | 0.9% | +8 | +3.4pp |
| Italian | 20 | 6.5% | 0.5% | 25 | 7.5% | 0.7% | -5 | -1.0pp |
| Greek | 12 | 3.9% | 0.4% | 14 | 4.2% | 0.4% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 12 | 3.9% | 5.9% | 10 | 3.0% | 6.7% | +2 | +0.9pp |
| Malay | 11 | 3.6% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 309 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 332 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -23 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.