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 Prospect (C), accounting for 68.7% (15,298 people). This share was lower than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,051 people, while its share fell by 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Prospect (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Prospect (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Prospect (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
15,298
% of total
68.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
15,298
68.7%
-0.8pp
Greek
2021 count
902
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
902
4.1%
-0.5pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
792
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
792
3.6%
+1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
659
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
659
3.0%
-1.5pp
Italian
2021 count
571
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
571
2.6%
-0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
448
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
448
2.0%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
427
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
427
1.9%
+0.6pp
Hindi
2021 count
287
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
287
1.3%
+0.2pp
Gujarati
2021 count
273
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
273
1.2%
-0.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
208
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
208
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,051
-0.8pp
Greek
-35
-0.5pp
Vietnamese
+334
+1.4pp
Not stated
-255
-1.5pp
Italian
-104
-0.7pp
Mandarin
+42
0.0pp
Punjabi
+153
+0.6pp
Hindi
+56
+0.2pp
Gujarati
-76
-0.5pp
Cantonese
+40
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Prospect (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| English | 15,298 | 68.7% | 74.8% | 14,247 | 69.5% | 75.4% | +1,051 | -0.8pp |
| Greek | 902 | 4.1% | 1.5% | 937 | 4.6% | 1.7% | -35 | -0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 792 | 3.6% | 1.5% | 458 | 2.2% | 1.4% | +334 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 659 | 3.0% | 3.8% | 914 | 4.5% | 4.9% | -255 | -1.5pp |
| Italian | 571 | 2.6% | 1.6% | 675 | 3.3% | 2.1% | -104 | -0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 448 | 2.0% | 2.2% | 406 | 2.0% | 2.1% | +42 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 427 | 1.9% | 1.4% | 274 | 1.3% | 0.7% | +153 | +0.6pp |
| Hindi | 287 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 231 | 1.1% | 0.5% | +56 | +0.2pp |
| Gujarati | 273 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 349 | 1.7% | 0.3% | -76 | -0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 208 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 168 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +40 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 22,257 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,506 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,751 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.