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 Spencer Park, accounting for 88.1% (3,021 people). This share was higher than Albany (C) (87.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 72 people and 1.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Spencer Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Spencer Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Albany (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Spencer Park, with comparison markers for Albany (C).

Spencer Park
Albany (C)

English

2021 count

3,021

% of total

88.1%

Change from 2016

+1.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

172

% of total

5.0%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Italian

2021 count

33

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Filipino

2021 count

31

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Indonesian

2021 count

22

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Karen

2021 count

12

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Mandarin

2021 count

12

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Dutch

2021 count

11

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

11

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tagalog

2021 count

11

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

Language used at home for Spencer Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Albany (C).

Language used at home for Spencer Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Albany (C).
Language used at home for Spencer Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Albany (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Albany (C)%Count%Albany (C)%Countpp
English3,02188.1%87.8%2,94986.5%87.1%+72+1.6pp
Not stated1725.0%6.0%1955.7%7.1%-23-0.7pp
Italian331.0%0.5%280.8%0.6%+5+0.2pp
Filipino310.9%0.6%280.8%0.6%+3+0.1pp
Indonesian220.6%0.2%180.5%0.1%+4+0.1pp
Karen120.3%0.5%170.5%0.3%-5-0.2pp
Mandarin120.3%0.3%180.5%0.2%-6-0.2pp
Dutch110.3%0.2%150.4%0.3%-4-0.1pp
Afrikaans110.3%0.6%80.2%0.5%+3+0.1pp
Tagalog110.3%0.6%200.6%0.6%-9-0.3pp
Total3,431100.0%100.0%3,411100.0%100.0%+200.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.