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 Norrie, accounting for 86.7% (5,437 people). This share was lower than Whyalla (C) (87%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 136 people, while its share rose by 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Whyalla Norrie - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Whyalla Norrie 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 Norrie, with comparison markers for Whyalla (C).
English
2021 count
5,437
% of total
86.7%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
5,437
86.7%
+2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
413
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
413
6.6%
-2.8pp
Tagalog
2021 count
79
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
79
1.3%
+0.4pp
Filipino
2021 count
62
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
62
1.0%
+0.2pp
Tamil
2021 count
37
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
37
0.6%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
28
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
28
0.4%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
26
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
26
0.4%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.4%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
21
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.3%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
20
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
20
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-136
+2.1pp
Not stated
-203
-2.8pp
Tagalog
+23
+0.4pp
Filipino
+9
+0.2pp
Tamil
+16
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+25
+0.4pp
Greek
-6
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
-4
0.0pp
Spanish
+1
0.0pp
Italian
-7
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Whyalla Norrie. 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 | 5,437 | 86.7% | 87.0% | 5,573 | 84.6% | 86.9% | -136 | +2.1pp |
| Not stated | 413 | 6.6% | 6.5% | 616 | 9.4% | 7.0% | -203 | -2.8pp |
| Tagalog | 79 | 1.3% | 0.6% | 56 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +23 | +0.4pp |
| Filipino | 62 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 53 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Tamil | 37 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 21 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +16 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 28 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +25 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 26 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 32 | 0.5% | 0.5% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 23 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 27 | 0.4% | 0.6% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 20 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 27 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,268 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -320 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.