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 Parkside (SA), accounting for 76.9% (3,916 people). This share was lower than Unley (C) (78.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 381 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Parkside (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Parkside (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 Parkside (SA), with comparison markers for Unley (C).
English
Greek
Mandarin
Italian
Not stated
Cantonese
Spanish
German
Sinhalese
Persian (excluding Dari)
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+381
+3.0pp
Greek
+8
0.0pp
Mandarin
+35
+0.5pp
Italian
-20
-0.6pp
Not stated
-163
-3.5pp
Cantonese
-1
0.0pp
Spanish
+25
+0.4pp
German
+3
0.0pp
Sinhalese
+14
+0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+14
+0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Parkside (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 | 3,916 | 76.9% | 78.2% | 3,535 | 73.9% | 76.1% | +381 | +3.0pp |
| Greek | 192 | 3.8% | 3.3% | 184 | 3.8% | 3.5% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 185 | 3.6% | 3.5% | 150 | 3.1% | 3.6% | +35 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 136 | 2.7% | 1.5% | 156 | 3.3% | 1.9% | -20 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 130 | 2.6% | 2.4% | 293 | 6.1% | 4.6% | -163 | -3.5pp |
| Cantonese | 54 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 55 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 48 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 23 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +25 | +0.4pp |
| German | 31 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 28 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Sinhalese | 28 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 26 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,094 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,786 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +308 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.