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 Wayville, accounting for 74.7% (1,442 people). This share was lower than Unley (C) (78.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,118 people and 7.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Wayville - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Wayville 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 Wayville, with comparison markers for Unley (C).

Wayville
Unley (C)

English

2021 count

1,442

% of total

74.7%

Change from 2016

-7.6pp

Mandarin

2021 count

63

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

+2.8pp

Not stated

2021 count

60

% of total

3.1%

Change from 2016

-2.3pp

Greek

2021 count

45

% of total

2.3%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Hindi

2021 count

35

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Spanish

2021 count

32

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Italian

2021 count

18

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Nepali

2021 count

16

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-

Urdu

2021 count

15

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Filipino

2021 count

13

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

Language used at home for Wayville. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).

Language used at home for Wayville. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
Language used at home for Wayville. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Unley (C)%Count%Unley (C)%Countpp
English1,44274.7%78.2%2,56082.3%76.1%-1,118-7.6pp
Mandarin633.3%3.5%170.5%3.6%+46+2.8pp
Not stated603.1%2.4%1685.4%4.6%-108-2.3pp
Greek452.3%3.3%411.3%3.5%+4+1.0pp
Hindi351.8%0.7%30.1%0.6%+32+1.7pp
Spanish321.7%0.6%70.2%0.5%+25+1.5pp
Italian180.9%1.5%632.0%1.9%-45-1.1pp
Nepali160.8%0.6%--0.3%--
Urdu150.8%0.3%120.4%0.2%+3+0.4pp
Filipino130.7%0.1%90.3%0.1%+4+0.4pp
Total1,930100.0%100.0%3,111100.0%100.0%-1,1810.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.