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 Waterloo Corner (part), accounting for 56.8% (634 people). This share was lower than Playford (C) (78.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 457 people, while its share fell by 30.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Waterloo Corner (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Waterloo Corner (part) 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 Waterloo Corner (part), with comparison markers for Playford (C).

Waterloo Corner (part)
Playford (C)

English

2021 count

634

% of total

56.8%

Change from 2016

-30.4pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

146

% of total

13.1%

Change from 2016

-

Not stated

2021 count

107

% of total

9.6%

Change from 2016

-3.2pp

Italian

2021 count

63

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-

Khmer

2021 count

43

% of total

3.9%

Change from 2016

-

Arabic

2021 count

32

% of total

2.9%

Change from 2016

-

Greek

2021 count

19

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-

Punjabi

2021 count

12

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-

Hazaraghi

2021 count

11

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

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

Language used at home for Waterloo Corner (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Playford (C).
Language used at home for Waterloo Corner (part). 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
English63456.8%78.9%17787.2%80.9%+457-30.4pp
Vietnamese14613.1%0.9%--0.9%--
Not stated1079.6%5.9%2612.8%6.7%+81-3.2pp
Italian635.6%0.5%--0.7%--
Khmer433.9%0.5%--0.5%--
Arabic322.9%0.6%--0.5%--
Greek191.7%0.4%--0.4%--
Punjabi121.1%0.5%--0.2%--
Hazaraghi111.0%1.2%--0.6%--
Total1,116100.0%100.0%203100.0%100.0%+9130.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.