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 (SA), accounting for 72.1% (1,774 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 42 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Smithfield (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Smithfield (SA) 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 (SA), with comparison markers for Playford (C).
English
2021 count
1,774
% of total
72.1%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,774
72.1%
-2.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
246
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
246
10.0%
+1.7pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
95
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
95
3.9%
+1.5pp
Dinka
2021 count
46
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
46
1.9%
-0.3pp
Swahili
2021 count
32
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
32
1.3%
+0.8pp
Kirundi (Rundi)
2021 count
29
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
29
1.2%
+0.4pp
Dari
2021 count
22
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
22
0.9%
-1.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
20
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
20
0.8%
+0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
17
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
17
0.7%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
16
0.6%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-42
-2.9pp
Not stated
+45
+1.7pp
Hazaraghi
+38
+1.5pp
Dinka
-7
-0.3pp
Swahili
+20
+0.8pp
Kirundi (Rundi)
+10
+0.4pp
Dari
-33
-1.4pp
Punjabi
+7
+0.3pp
Arabic
+7
+0.3pp
Italian
-6
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Smithfield (SA). 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 | 1,774 | 72.1% | 78.9% | 1,816 | 75.0% | 80.9% | -42 | -2.9pp |
| Not stated | 246 | 10.0% | 5.9% | 201 | 8.3% | 6.7% | +45 | +1.7pp |
| Hazaraghi | 95 | 3.9% | 1.2% | 57 | 2.4% | 0.6% | +38 | +1.5pp |
| Dinka | 46 | 1.9% | 0.8% | 53 | 2.2% | 0.9% | -7 | -0.3pp |
| Swahili | 32 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 12 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +20 | +0.8pp |
| Kirundi (Rundi) | 29 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 19 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Dari | 22 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 55 | 2.3% | 0.5% | -33 | -1.4pp |
| Punjabi | 20 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 13 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 17 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 10 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 16 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 22 | 0.9% | 0.7% | -6 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 2,462 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,420 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +42 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.