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 Briar Hill, accounting for 86.7% (2,805 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 92 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Briar Hill - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Briar Hill in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Banyule (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Briar Hill, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
2021 count
2,805
% of total
86.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,805
86.7%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
92
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
92
2.8%
-1.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
53
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
53
1.6%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
44
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
44
1.4%
-0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
20
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.6%
+0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
17
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.5%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
16
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
16
0.5%
+0.3pp
Greek
2021 count
15
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
15
0.5%
-0.3pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.4%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
12
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
12
0.4%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+92
+0.1pp
Not stated
-38
-1.4pp
Mandarin
+2
0.0pp
Italian
-2
-0.1pp
Macedonian
+3
+0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+6
+0.1pp
Spanish
+9
+0.3pp
Greek
-9
-0.3pp
Sinhalese
+5
+0.1pp
German
-7
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Briar Hill. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Banyule (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Banyule (C)% | Count | % | Banyule (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,805 | 86.7% | 75.0% | 2,713 | 86.6% | 73.8% | +92 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 92 | 2.8% | 3.2% | 130 | 4.2% | 4.5% | -38 | -1.4pp |
| Mandarin | 53 | 1.6% | 4.0% | 51 | 1.6% | 3.4% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 44 | 1.4% | 2.4% | 46 | 1.5% | 3.0% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 20 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.7% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 17 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 11 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 16 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +9 | +0.3pp |
| Greek | 15 | 0.5% | 2.0% | 24 | 0.8% | 2.1% | -9 | -0.3pp |
| Sinhalese | 13 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| German | 12 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 19 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 3,234 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,132 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +102 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.