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 Greensborough (part), accounting for 81% (17,040 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 322 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Greensborough (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Greensborough (part) 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 Greensborough (part), with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
2021 count
17,040
% of total
81.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
17,040
81.0%
+0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
564
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
564
2.7%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
479
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
479
2.3%
-1.2pp
Italian
2021 count
434
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
434
2.1%
-0.5pp
Greek
2021 count
267
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
267
1.3%
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
183
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
183
0.9%
+0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
174
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
174
0.8%
0.0pp
Macedonian
2021 count
139
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
139
0.7%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
139
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
139
0.7%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
111
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
111
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+322
+0.8pp
Mandarin
+121
+0.6pp
Not stated
-246
-1.2pp
Italian
-109
-0.5pp
Greek
-54
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+82
+0.4pp
Arabic
+3
0.0pp
Macedonian
-27
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+6
+0.1pp
Hindi
+18
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Greensborough (part). 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 | 17,040 | 81.0% | 75.0% | 16,718 | 80.2% | 73.8% | +322 | +0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 564 | 2.7% | 4.0% | 443 | 2.1% | 3.4% | +121 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 479 | 2.3% | 3.2% | 725 | 3.5% | 4.5% | -246 | -1.2pp |
| Italian | 434 | 2.1% | 2.4% | 543 | 2.6% | 3.0% | -109 | -0.5pp |
| Greek | 267 | 1.3% | 2.0% | 321 | 1.5% | 2.1% | -54 | -0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 183 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 101 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +82 | +0.4pp |
| Arabic | 174 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 171 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian | 139 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 166 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 139 | 0.7% | 1.2% | 133 | 0.6% | 1.1% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 111 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 93 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 21,049 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,838 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +211 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.