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 Virginia (SA), accounting for 67.4% (1,858 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 762 people and 6.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Virginia (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Virginia (SA)
Playford (C)

English

2021 count

1,858

% of total

67.4%

Change from 2016

+6.2pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

267

% of total

9.7%

Change from 2016

-4.9pp

Not stated

2021 count

192

% of total

7.0%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Greek

2021 count

116

% of total

4.2%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Italian

2021 count

72

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

-1.9pp

Khmer

2021 count

56

% of total

2.0%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Punjabi

2021 count

47

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-

Turkish

2021 count

19

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Serbian

2021 count

13

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tagalog

2021 count

12

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Virginia (SA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
Language used at home for Virginia (SA). 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
English1,85867.4%78.9%1,09661.2%80.9%+762+6.2pp
Vietnamese2679.7%0.9%26114.6%0.9%+6-4.9pp
Not stated1927.0%5.9%1246.9%6.7%+68+0.1pp
Greek1164.2%0.4%1136.3%0.4%+3-2.1pp
Italian722.6%0.5%804.5%0.7%-8-1.9pp
Khmer562.0%0.5%311.7%0.5%+25+0.3pp
Punjabi471.7%0.5%--0.2%--
Turkish190.7%0.1%241.3%0.1%-5-0.6pp
Serbian130.5%0.1%80.4%0.2%+5+0.1pp
Tagalog120.4%0.4%30.2%0.3%+9+0.2pp
Total2,758100.0%100.0%1,792100.0%100.0%+9660.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.