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 Wakefield (DC), accounting for 90.6% (6,137 people). This share was higher than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tagalog, which increased by 10 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wakefield (DC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wakefield (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wakefield (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
2021 count
6,137
% of total
90.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
6,137
90.6%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
374
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
374
5.5%
-0.4pp
Filipino
2021 count
68
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
68
1.0%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
67
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
67
1.0%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.3%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10
0.1%
-0.1pp
Bisaya
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.1%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1
0.0pp
Not stated
-28
-0.4pp
Filipino
+5
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+10
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-1
0.0pp
Greek
+6
+0.1pp
German
-4
0.0pp
Italian
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wakefield (DC). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,137 | 90.6% | 87.7% | 6,138 | 90.6% | 87.9% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 374 | 5.5% | 6.9% | 402 | 5.9% | 7.1% | -28 | -0.4pp |
| Filipino | 68 | 1.0% | 0.2% | 63 | 0.9% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 67 | 1.0% | 0.2% | 57 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 18 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 13 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| German | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 10 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Bisaya | 10 | 0.1% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 6,774 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,778 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -4 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.