Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Whyalla (C), accounting for 87% (18,491 people). This share was lower than Regional SA (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 472 people, while its share rose by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Whyalla (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Whyalla (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whyalla (C), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
English
Not stated
Tagalog
Afrikaans
Filipino
Italian
Greek
Punjabi
Spanish
Hindi
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-472
+0.1pp
Not stated
-138
-0.5pp
Tagalog
+9
0.0pp
Afrikaans
-38
-0.1pp
Filipino
-6
0.0pp
Italian
-15
-0.1pp
Greek
-24
-0.1pp
Punjabi
+58
+0.3pp
Spanish
+1
0.0pp
Hindi
-12
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Whyalla (C). 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 | 18,491 | 87.0% | 87.7% | 18,963 | 86.9% | 87.9% | -472 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,384 | 6.5% | 6.9% | 1,522 | 7.0% | 7.1% | -138 | -0.5pp |
| Tagalog | 133 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 124 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 102 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 140 | 0.6% | 0.1% | -38 | -0.1pp |
| Filipino | 96 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 102 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 85 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 100 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 82 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 106 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -24 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 80 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 22 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +58 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 60 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 59 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 49 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 61 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 21,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,815 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -557 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.