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 Banyule (C), accounting for 75% (94,634 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,733 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Banyule (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Banyule (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Banyule (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
94,634
% of total
75.0%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
94,634
75.0%
+1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
5,016
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
5,016
4.0%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,061
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4,061
3.2%
-1.3pp
Italian
2021 count
2,992
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,992
2.4%
-0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
2,464
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,464
2.0%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,478
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,478
1.2%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,209
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,209
1.0%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
933
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
933
0.7%
0.0pp
Somali
2021 count
858
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
858
0.7%
-0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
824
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
824
0.7%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,733
+1.2pp
Mandarin
+830
+0.6pp
Not stated
-1,476
-1.3pp
Italian
-622
-0.6pp
Greek
-81
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+176
+0.1pp
Arabic
-2
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+82
0.0pp
Somali
-149
-0.1pp
Macedonian
-31
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Banyule (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 94,634 | 75.0% | 61.1% | 89,901 | 73.8% | 62.0% | +4,733 | +1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 5,016 | 4.0% | 4.3% | 4,186 | 3.4% | 4.1% | +830 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 4,061 | 3.2% | 4.8% | 5,537 | 4.5% | 5.6% | -1,476 | -1.3pp |
| Italian | 2,992 | 2.4% | 1.7% | 3,614 | 3.0% | 2.3% | -622 | -0.6pp |
| Greek | 2,464 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 2,545 | 2.1% | 2.4% | -81 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 1,478 | 1.2% | 1.6% | 1,302 | 1.1% | 1.7% | +176 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 1,209 | 1.0% | 1.8% | 1,211 | 1.0% | 1.7% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 933 | 0.7% | 2.3% | 851 | 0.7% | 2.3% | +82 | 0.0pp |
| Somali | 858 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 1,007 | 0.8% | 0.2% | -149 | -0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 824 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 855 | 0.7% | 0.6% | -31 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 126,209 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 121,837 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,372 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.