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 The Coorong (DC), accounting for 86.8% (4,734 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 91 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
The Coorong (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for The Coorong (DC) 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 The Coorong (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
4,734
% of total
86.8%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
4,734
86.8%
-3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
520
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
520
9.5%
+3.0pp
Ngarrindjeri
2021 count
52
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
52
1.0%
-0.8pp
German
2021 count
24
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.4%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
16
0.3%
+0.2pp
Telugu
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.3%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-91
-3.1pp
Not stated
+172
+3.0pp
Ngarrindjeri
-44
-0.8pp
German
+1
0.0pp
Punjabi
+11
+0.2pp
Telugu
+10
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+4
+0.1pp
Filipino
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for The Coorong (DC). 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 | 4,734 | 86.8% | 87.7% | 4,825 | 89.9% | 87.9% | -91 | -3.1pp |
| Not stated | 520 | 9.5% | 6.9% | 348 | 6.5% | 7.1% | +172 | +3.0pp |
| Ngarrindjeri | 52 | 1.0% | 0.0% | 96 | 1.8% | 0.1% | -44 | -0.8pp |
| German | 24 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 23 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 16 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Telugu | 14 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,453 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,369 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +84 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.