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 Ararat (RC), accounting for 82.7% (9,836 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 140 people, while its share fell by 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ararat (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ararat (RC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ararat (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
9,836
% of total
82.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
9,836
82.7%
-0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,444
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,444
12.1%
-0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
75
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
75
0.6%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
50
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
50
0.4%
+0.1pp
Urdu
2021 count
42
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
42
0.4%
+0.2pp
Samoan
2021 count
30
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
30
0.3%
-
Filipino
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
28
0.2%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
25
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
25
0.2%
+0.1pp
Telugu
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19
0.2%
+0.2pp
Gujarati
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.2%
-
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+140
-0.9pp
Not stated
-38
-0.7pp
Mandarin
+10
0.0pp
Punjabi
+19
+0.1pp
Urdu
+14
+0.2pp
Filipino
-8
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+10
+0.1pp
Telugu
+14
+0.2pp
German
-5
0.0pp
Vietnamese
0
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ararat (RC). 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 | 9,836 | 82.7% | 86.4% | 9,696 | 83.6% | 86.6% | +140 | -0.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,444 | 12.1% | 6.5% | 1,482 | 12.8% | 7.4% | -38 | -0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 75 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 65 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 50 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 31 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| Urdu | 42 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 28 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Samoan | 30 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Filipino | 28 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 36 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Telugu | 19 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +14 | +0.2pp |
| Gujarati | 19 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 11,899 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,595 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +304 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.