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 Roxby Downs (M), accounting for 80.1% (3,170 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 89 people and 3.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Roxby Downs (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Roxby Downs (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 Roxby Downs (M), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
3,170
% of total
80.1%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
3,170
80.1%
-3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
461
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
461
11.6%
+3.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
66
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
66
1.7%
+0.8pp
Filipino
2021 count
30
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
30
0.8%
+0.2pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
27
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
27
0.7%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
24
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
24
0.6%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
23
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
23
0.6%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.3%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.3%
-
Urdu
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-89
-3.8pp
Not stated
+131
+3.1pp
Tagalog
+31
+0.8pp
Filipino
+8
+0.2pp
Sinhalese
+6
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
-4
-0.1pp
Spanish
+4
+0.1pp
Thai
+3
+0.1pp
Urdu
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Roxby Downs (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 | 3,170 | 80.1% | 87.7% | 3,259 | 83.9% | 87.9% | -89 | -3.8pp |
| Not stated | 461 | 11.6% | 6.9% | 330 | 8.5% | 7.1% | +131 | +3.1pp |
| Tagalog | 66 | 1.7% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.9% | 0.2% | +31 | +0.8pp |
| Filipino | 30 | 0.8% | 0.2% | 22 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 27 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 21 | 0.5% | 0.0% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 24 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 28 | 0.7% | 0.1% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 23 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 19 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 12 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Urdu | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,960 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,886 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +74 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.