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 Unincorporated SA, accounting for 71.5% (2,124 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 413 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Unincorporated SA - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Unincorporated SA 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 Unincorporated SA, with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
2,124
% of total
71.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
2,124
71.5%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
414
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
414
13.9%
-2.9pp
Pitjantjatjara
2021 count
250
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
250
8.4%
+4.6pp
Adnymathanha
2021 count
55
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
55
1.9%
+0.8pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
21
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
21
0.7%
-0.6pp
German
2021 count
13
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
13
0.4%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-413
-1.2pp
Not stated
-173
-2.9pp
Pitjantjatjara
+118
+4.6pp
Adnymathanha
+18
+0.8pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-25
-0.6pp
German
-7
-0.2pp
Italian
+2
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Unincorporated SA. 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 | 2,124 | 71.5% | 87.7% | 2,537 | 72.7% | 87.9% | -413 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 414 | 13.9% | 6.9% | 587 | 16.8% | 7.1% | -173 | -2.9pp |
| Pitjantjatjara | 250 | 8.4% | 0.5% | 132 | 3.8% | 0.5% | +118 | +4.6pp |
| Adnymathanha | 55 | 1.9% | 0.1% | 37 | 1.1% | 0.0% | +18 | +0.8pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 21 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 46 | 1.3% | 0.1% | -25 | -0.6pp |
| German | 13 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 11 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 2,972 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,489 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -517 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.