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 West Torrens (C), accounting for 65.7% (40,510 people). This share was lower than Greater Adelaide (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,275 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Torrens (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West Torrens (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Adelaide and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Torrens (C), with comparison markers for Greater Adelaide.
English
2021 count
40,510
% of total
65.7%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
40,510
65.7%
+1.3pp
Greek
2021 count
3,406
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,406
5.5%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,013
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,013
3.3%
-1.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,891
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,891
3.1%
-0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
1,837
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,837
3.0%
+1.1pp
Italian
2021 count
1,443
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,443
2.3%
-0.9pp
Nepali
2021 count
1,293
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
1,293
2.1%
+1.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
861
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
861
1.4%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
661
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
661
1.1%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
643
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
643
1.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,275
+1.3pp
Greek
-264
-0.8pp
Not stated
-810
-1.6pp
Mandarin
-183
-0.5pp
Punjabi
+733
+1.1pp
Italian
-431
-0.9pp
Nepali
+856
+1.3pp
Hindi
+79
0.0pp
Cantonese
-47
-0.1pp
Arabic
+32
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for West Torrens (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Adelaide.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | % | Greater Adelaide% | Count | pp | |
| English | 40,510 | 65.7% | 74.8% | 37,235 | 64.4% | 75.4% | +3,275 | +1.3pp |
| Greek | 3,406 | 5.5% | 1.5% | 3,670 | 6.3% | 1.7% | -264 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 2,013 | 3.3% | 3.8% | 2,823 | 4.9% | 4.9% | -810 | -1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 1,891 | 3.1% | 2.2% | 2,074 | 3.6% | 2.1% | -183 | -0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 1,837 | 3.0% | 1.4% | 1,104 | 1.9% | 0.7% | +733 | +1.1pp |
| Italian | 1,443 | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1,874 | 3.2% | 2.1% | -431 | -0.9pp |
| Nepali | 1,293 | 2.1% | 0.7% | 437 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +856 | +1.3pp |
| Hindi | 861 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 782 | 1.4% | 0.5% | +79 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 661 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 708 | 1.2% | 0.7% | -47 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 643 | 1.0% | 0.8% | 611 | 1.1% | 0.7% | +32 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 61,661 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 57,849 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,812 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.