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 Playford, accounting for 91% (2,282 people). This share was higher than Whyalla (C) (87%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 14 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Whyalla Playford - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Whyalla Playford 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 Playford, with comparison markers for Whyalla (C).
English
2021 count
2,282
% of total
91.0%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
2,282
91.0%
+2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
108
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
108
4.3%
-1.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
14
0.6%
+0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.6%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
12
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
12
0.5%
-0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
12
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
12
0.5%
+0.4pp
Croatian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
11
0.4%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+14
+2.4pp
Not stated
-27
-1.0pp
Afrikaans
+6
+0.3pp
Tagalog
-1
0.0pp
Greek
-8
-0.3pp
Punjabi
+9
+0.4pp
Croatian
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Whyalla Playford. 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 | 2,282 | 91.0% | 87.0% | 2,268 | 88.6% | 86.9% | +14 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 108 | 4.3% | 6.5% | 135 | 5.3% | 7.0% | -27 | -1.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 14 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 14 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 15 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 12 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 20 | 0.8% | 0.5% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 12 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.4pp |
| Croatian | 11 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 14 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 2,509 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,559 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -50 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.