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 Unley (C), accounting for 78.2% (30,220 people). This share was higher than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,528 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Unley (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Unley (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Unley (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
30,220
% of total
78.2%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
30,220
78.2%
+2.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,366
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,366
3.5%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
1,264
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,264
3.3%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
927
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
927
2.4%
-2.2pp
Italian
2021 count
575
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
575
1.5%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
293
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
293
0.8%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
279
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
279
0.7%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
240
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
240
0.6%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
232
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
232
0.6%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
184
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
184
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,528
+2.1pp
Mandarin
+9
-0.1pp
Greek
-39
-0.2pp
Not stated
-790
-2.2pp
Italian
-139
-0.4pp
Cantonese
-61
-0.1pp
Hindi
+39
+0.1pp
Nepali
+131
+0.3pp
Spanish
+48
+0.1pp
French
+28
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Unley (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| English | 30,220 | 78.2% | 74.8% | 28,692 | 76.1% | 75.4% | +1,528 | +2.1pp |
| Mandarin | 1,366 | 3.5% | 2.2% | 1,357 | 3.6% | 2.1% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 1,264 | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1,303 | 3.5% | 1.7% | -39 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 927 | 2.4% | 3.8% | 1,717 | 4.6% | 4.9% | -790 | -2.2pp |
| Italian | 575 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 714 | 1.9% | 2.1% | -139 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 293 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 354 | 0.9% | 0.7% | -61 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 279 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 240 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +39 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 240 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 109 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +131 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 232 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 184 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +48 | +0.1pp |
| French | 184 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 156 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 38,647 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 37,722 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +925 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.