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 Lincoln (C), accounting for 89.1% (12,821 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 346 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Port Lincoln (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Port Lincoln (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 Lincoln (C), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
12,821
% of total
89.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
12,821
89.1%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
952
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
952
6.6%
-1.1pp
Croatian
2021 count
78
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
78
0.5%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
56
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
56
0.4%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
39
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
39
0.3%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
34
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
29
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
29
0.2%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.2%
0.0pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
26
0.2%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
24
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+346
+0.2pp
Not stated
-126
-1.1pp
Croatian
+13
0.0pp
Tagalog
+12
+0.1pp
Greek
+8
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+20
+0.1pp
Italian
-13
-0.1pp
Mandarin
0
0.0pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
+20
+0.2pp
German
-5
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Port Lincoln (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 | 12,821 | 89.1% | 87.7% | 12,475 | 88.9% | 87.9% | +346 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 952 | 6.6% | 6.9% | 1,078 | 7.7% | 7.1% | -126 | -1.1pp |
| Croatian | 78 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 65 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 56 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 44 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 39 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 31 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 34 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 14 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 29 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 42 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -13 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 26 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 26 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 26 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| German | 24 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 29 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 14,384 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,029 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +355 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.