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 Black Forest, accounting for 77.7% (1,533 people). This share was lower than Unley (C) (78.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 77 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Black Forest - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Black Forest in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Unley (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Black Forest, with comparison markers for Unley (C).
English
2021 count
1,533
% of total
77.7%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
1,533
77.7%
+1.5pp
Greek
2021 count
70
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
70
3.5%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
48
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
48
2.4%
+1.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
41
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
41
2.1%
-1.7pp
Punjabi
2021 count
27
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
27
1.4%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
26
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
26
1.3%
-3.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
18
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
18
0.9%
+0.6pp
Tamil
2021 count
13
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
13
0.7%
-
Hindi
2021 count
13
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
13
0.7%
+0.3pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+77
+1.5pp
Greek
+6
+0.1pp
Nepali
+30
+1.5pp
Mandarin
-32
-1.7pp
Punjabi
+12
+0.6pp
Not stated
-67
-3.6pp
Vietnamese
+12
+0.6pp
Hindi
+6
+0.3pp
Sinhalese
+2
+0.1pp
Italian
-6
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Black Forest. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Unley (C)% | Count | % | Unley (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,533 | 77.7% | 78.2% | 1,456 | 76.2% | 76.1% | +77 | +1.5pp |
| Greek | 70 | 3.5% | 3.3% | 64 | 3.4% | 3.5% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 48 | 2.4% | 0.6% | 18 | 0.9% | 0.3% | +30 | +1.5pp |
| Mandarin | 41 | 2.1% | 3.5% | 73 | 3.8% | 3.6% | -32 | -1.7pp |
| Punjabi | 27 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 15 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +12 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 26 | 1.3% | 2.4% | 93 | 4.9% | 4.6% | -67 | -3.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 18 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 6 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +12 | +0.6pp |
| Tamil | 13 | 0.7% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Hindi | 13 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 7 | 0.4% | 0.6% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Sinhalese | 13 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 11 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 1,974 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,910 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +64 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.