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 Whyalla Jenkins, accounting for 87.6% (1,712 people). This share was higher than Whyalla (C) (87%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Afrikaans, which decreased by 24 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Whyalla Jenkins - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Whyalla Jenkins in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whyalla (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whyalla Jenkins, with comparison markers for Whyalla (C).
English
2021 count
1,712
% of total
87.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,712
87.6%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
62
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
62
3.2%
-1.4pp
Shona
2021 count
26
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
1.3%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
15
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15
0.8%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
13
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
13
0.7%
+0.5pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
11
0.6%
-1.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
11
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.6%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.5%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+8
-0.4pp
Not stated
-27
-1.4pp
Shona
+2
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+4
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+9
+0.5pp
Afrikaans
-24
-1.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Whyalla Jenkins. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whyalla (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Whyalla (C)% | Count | % | Whyalla (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,712 | 87.6% | 87.0% | 1,704 | 88.0% | 86.9% | +8 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 62 | 3.2% | 6.5% | 89 | 4.6% | 7.0% | -27 | -1.4pp |
| Shona | 26 | 1.3% | 0.2% | 24 | 1.2% | 0.2% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 15 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 11 | 0.6% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 13 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.5pp |
| Afrikaans | 11 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 35 | 1.8% | 0.6% | -24 | -1.2pp |
| Filipino | 11 | 0.6% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 10 | 0.5% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Total | 1,954 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,936 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +18 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.