Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Highgate (SA), accounting for 77.1% (1,151 people). This share was lower than Unley (C) (78.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 49 people, while its share rose by 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Highgate (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Highgate (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Unley (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Highgate (SA), with comparison markers for Unley (C).
English
Mandarin
Not stated
French
Cantonese
Italian
Punjabi
Vietnamese
Sinhalese
Min Nan
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-49
+2.8pp
Mandarin
-12
-0.2pp
Not stated
-27
-1.6pp
French
+19
+1.3pp
Cantonese
-12
-0.7pp
Italian
-2
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+3
+0.2pp
Sinhalese
+6
+0.5pp
Min Nan
+7
+0.5pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Highgate (SA). 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 | 1,151 | 77.1% | 78.2% | 1,200 | 74.3% | 76.1% | -49 | +2.8pp |
| Mandarin | 123 | 8.2% | 3.5% | 135 | 8.4% | 3.6% | -12 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 29 | 1.9% | 2.4% | 56 | 3.5% | 4.6% | -27 | -1.6pp |
| French | 22 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 3 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +19 | +1.3pp |
| Cantonese | 18 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 30 | 1.9% | 0.9% | -12 | -0.7pp |
| Italian | 17 | 1.1% | 1.5% | 19 | 1.2% | 1.9% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 14 | 0.9% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 11 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 8 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 10 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.5pp |
| Min Nan | 10 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +7 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 1,493 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,615 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -122 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.