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 Pirie City and Dists (M), accounting for 90% (15,527 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 33 people, while its share rose by 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Port Pirie City and Dists (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Port Pirie City and Dists (M) 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 Pirie City and Dists (M), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
15,527
% of total
90.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
15,527
90.0%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
991
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
991
5.7%
-0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
125
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
125
0.7%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
79
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
79
0.5%
0.0pp
Romanian
2021 count
73
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
73
0.4%
+0.1pp
Urdu
2021 count
41
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
41
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
38
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.2%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.2%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-33
+0.3pp
Not stated
-70
-0.4pp
Italian
-29
-0.2pp
Greek
-16
0.0pp
Romanian
+18
+0.1pp
Urdu
+9
0.0pp
Tagalog
+4
0.0pp
Mandarin
+11
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
-4
0.0pp
Filipino
-13
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Port Pirie City and Dists (M). 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 | 15,527 | 90.0% | 87.7% | 15,560 | 89.7% | 87.9% | -33 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 991 | 5.7% | 6.9% | 1,061 | 6.1% | 7.1% | -70 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 125 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 154 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -29 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 79 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 95 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -16 | 0.0pp |
| Romanian | 73 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 55 | 0.3% | 0.0% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Urdu | 41 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 38 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 34 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 31 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 27 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 31 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 39 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -13 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 17,253 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,343 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -90 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.