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 Port Augusta (C), accounting for 81.1% (11,202 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 275 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Port Augusta (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Port Augusta (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Augusta (C), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
11,202
% of total
81.1%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
11,202
81.1%
-2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,666
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,666
12.1%
-0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
126
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
126
0.9%
+0.4pp
Adnymathanha
2021 count
95
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
95
0.7%
+0.4pp
Pitjantjatjara
2021 count
54
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
54
0.4%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
48
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
48
0.3%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
38
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
38
0.3%
+0.1pp
Tetum
2021 count
37
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
37
0.3%
-
Bislama
2021 count
36
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
36
0.3%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
33
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-275
-2.2pp
Not stated
-61
-0.4pp
Punjabi
+55
+0.4pp
Adnymathanha
+54
+0.4pp
Pitjantjatjara
+9
+0.1pp
Italian
-16
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+6
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+18
+0.1pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-1
0.0pp
Yankunytjatjara
+27
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Port Augusta (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 11,202 | 81.1% | 87.7% | 11,477 | 83.3% | 87.9% | -275 | -2.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,666 | 12.1% | 6.9% | 1,727 | 12.5% | 7.1% | -61 | -0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 126 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 71 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +55 | +0.4pp |
| Adnymathanha | 95 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 41 | 0.3% | 0.0% | +54 | +0.4pp |
| Pitjantjatjara | 54 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 45 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 48 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 64 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 38 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Tetum | 37 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Bislama | 36 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 33 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 13,805 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,775 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +30 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.