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 Smithfield Plains, accounting for 76.8% (2,525 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 278 people, while its share fell by 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Smithfield Plains - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Smithfield Plains 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 Smithfield Plains, with comparison markers for Playford (C).
English
2021 count
2,525
% of total
76.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
2,525
76.8%
-1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
266
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
266
8.1%
-1.0pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
58
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
58
1.8%
+1.1pp
Kirundi (Rundi)
2021 count
52
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
52
1.6%
0.0pp
Dinka
2021 count
43
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
43
1.3%
+0.2pp
Swahili
2021 count
35
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
35
1.1%
-0.6pp
Dari
2021 count
33
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
33
1.0%
-0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
22
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
22
0.7%
-
Acholi
2021 count
18
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
18
0.5%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
15
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+278
-1.3pp
Not stated
+5
-1.0pp
Hazaraghi
+38
+1.1pp
Kirundi (Rundi)
+7
0.0pp
Dinka
+11
+0.2pp
Swahili
-15
-0.6pp
Dari
-4
-0.3pp
Tagalog
+3
+0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+4
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Smithfield Plains. 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 | 2,525 | 76.8% | 78.9% | 2,247 | 78.1% | 80.9% | +278 | -1.3pp |
| Not stated | 266 | 8.1% | 5.9% | 261 | 9.1% | 6.7% | +5 | -1.0pp |
| Hazaraghi | 58 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 20 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +38 | +1.1pp |
| Kirundi (Rundi) | 52 | 1.6% | 0.6% | 45 | 1.6% | 0.6% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Dinka | 43 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 32 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Swahili | 35 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 50 | 1.7% | 0.5% | -15 | -0.6pp |
| Dari | 33 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 37 | 1.3% | 0.5% | -4 | -0.3pp |
| Nepali | 22 | 0.7% | 1.4% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Acholi | 18 | 0.5% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 15 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,287 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,878 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +409 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.