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 Malvern (SA), accounting for 80.6% (2,183 people). This share was higher than Unley (C) (78.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 125 people, while its share fell by 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Malvern (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Malvern (SA) 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 Malvern (SA), with comparison markers for Unley (C).
English
2021 count
2,183
% of total
80.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,183
80.6%
-0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
130
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
130
4.8%
+2.1pp
Greek
2021 count
110
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
110
4.1%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
47
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
47
1.7%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
40
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
40
1.5%
-1.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
17
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
17
0.6%
-0.2pp
French
2021 count
16
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
16
0.6%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
16
0.6%
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
14
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.5%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
14
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.5%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+125
-0.5pp
Mandarin
+62
+2.1pp
Greek
+14
+0.3pp
Italian
-13
-0.7pp
Not stated
-46
-1.9pp
Cantonese
-4
-0.2pp
French
+7
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+8
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Malvern (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 | 2,183 | 80.6% | 78.2% | 2,058 | 81.1% | 76.1% | +125 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 130 | 4.8% | 3.5% | 68 | 2.7% | 3.6% | +62 | +2.1pp |
| Greek | 110 | 4.1% | 3.3% | 96 | 3.8% | 3.5% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 47 | 1.7% | 1.5% | 60 | 2.4% | 1.9% | -13 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 40 | 1.5% | 2.4% | 86 | 3.4% | 4.6% | -46 | -1.9pp |
| Cantonese | 17 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 21 | 0.8% | 0.9% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| French | 16 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 9 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 16 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 14 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 13 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 14 | 0.5% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Total | 2,710 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,539 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +171 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.