Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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, accounting for 88.5% (3,195 people). This share was higher than Whyalla (C) (87%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Greek, which decreased by 16 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Whyalla - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Whyalla 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, with comparison markers for Whyalla (C).
English
Not stated
Afrikaans
Italian
Greek
Spanish
Bengali
Hindi
Dutch
Shona
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-5
-0.1pp
Not stated
-9
-0.3pp
Afrikaans
-12
-0.4pp
Italian
+7
+0.2pp
Greek
-16
-0.5pp
Spanish
+4
+0.1pp
Bengali
+5
+0.2pp
Hindi
+8
+0.3pp
Dutch
+4
+0.1pp
Shona
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Whyalla. 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 | 3,195 | 88.5% | 87.0% | 3,200 | 88.6% | 86.9% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 156 | 4.3% | 6.5% | 165 | 4.6% | 7.0% | -9 | -0.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 30 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 42 | 1.2% | 0.6% | -12 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 24 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 16 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 32 | 0.9% | 0.5% | -16 | -0.5pp |
| Spanish | 14 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Bengali | 14 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 13 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Dutch | 11 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Shona | 10 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,609 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,612 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -3 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.