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 Paralowie, accounting for 64.7% (11,331 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Hazaraghi, which increased by 310 people and 1.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Paralowie - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Paralowie in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Paralowie, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).

Paralowie
Salisbury (C)

English

2021 count

11,331

% of total

64.7%

Change from 2016

-5.1pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

843

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

723

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Khmer

2021 count

716

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Hazaraghi

2021 count

615

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Punjabi

2021 count

260

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Arabic

2021 count

248

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Spanish

2021 count

217

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Tagalog

2021 count

164

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Dari

2021 count

145

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

Language used at home for Paralowie. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).

Language used at home for Paralowie. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Language used at home for Paralowie. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Salisbury (C)%Count%Salisbury (C)%Countpp
English11,33164.7%62.9%11,52069.8%67.2%-189-5.1pp
Vietnamese8434.8%4.0%7244.4%3.9%+119+0.4pp
Not stated7234.1%4.6%6934.2%4.8%+30-0.1pp
Khmer7164.1%1.8%6333.8%1.7%+83+0.3pp
Hazaraghi6153.5%2.4%3051.8%1.1%+310+1.7pp
Punjabi2601.5%2.4%740.4%0.9%+186+1.1pp
Arabic2481.4%1.6%1480.9%1.2%+100+0.5pp
Spanish2171.2%0.7%2491.5%0.7%-32-0.3pp
Tagalog1640.9%0.9%1110.7%0.8%+53+0.2pp
Dari1450.8%1.0%1791.1%1.0%-34-0.3pp
Total17,526100.0%100.0%16,516100.0%100.0%+1,0100.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.