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 Alpine (S), accounting for 86.4% (11,428 people). This share was similar to Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,046 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Alpine (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Alpine (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Alpine (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
11,428
% of total
86.4%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
11,428
86.4%
+2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
890
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
890
6.7%
-1.5pp
Italian
2021 count
333
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
333
2.5%
-1.1pp
German
2021 count
60
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
60
0.5%
-0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
47
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
47
0.4%
+0.3pp
French
2021 count
41
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
41
0.3%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
33
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
0.2%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
32
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
32
0.2%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,046
+2.1pp
Not stated
-117
-1.5pp
Italian
-109
-1.1pp
German
-21
-0.2pp
Filipino
+29
+0.3pp
French
+11
+0.1pp
Nepali
+21
+0.1pp
Greek
+4
0.0pp
Mandarin
-3
-0.1pp
Spanish
+11
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Alpine (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 11,428 | 86.4% | 86.4% | 10,382 | 84.3% | 86.6% | +1,046 | +2.1pp |
| Not stated | 890 | 6.7% | 6.5% | 1,007 | 8.2% | 7.4% | -117 | -1.5pp |
| Italian | 333 | 2.5% | 0.5% | 442 | 3.6% | 0.7% | -109 | -1.1pp |
| German | 60 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 81 | 0.7% | 0.2% | -21 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 47 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| French | 41 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 30 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 33 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 32 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 28 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 32 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 35 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 13,232 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,317 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +915 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.