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, accounting for 68.1% (286 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 48 people and 10.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Penfield - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Penfield 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, with comparison markers for Playford (C).
English
2021 count
286
% of total
68.1%
Change from 2016
-10.1pp
286
68.1%
-10.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
54
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+10.9pp
54
12.9%
+10.9pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
25
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
25
6.0%
+1.7pp
Tamil
2021 count
12
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-
12
2.9%
-
Khmer
2021 count
10
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
10
2.4%
-2.8pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-48
-10.1pp
Not stated
+46
+10.9pp
Vietnamese
+7
+1.7pp
Khmer
-12
-2.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Penfield. 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 | 286 | 68.1% | 78.9% | 334 | 78.2% | 80.9% | -48 | -10.1pp |
| Not stated | 54 | 12.9% | 5.9% | 8 | 2.0% | 6.7% | +46 | +10.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 25 | 6.0% | 0.9% | 18 | 4.3% | 0.9% | +7 | +1.7pp |
| Tamil | 12 | 2.9% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Khmer | 10 | 2.4% | 0.5% | 22 | 5.2% | 0.5% | -12 | -2.8pp |
| Total | 420 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 428 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -8 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.