Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Heidelberg Heights, accounting for 66.2% (4,449 people). This share was lower than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 604 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Heidelberg Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Heidelberg Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Banyule (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Heidelberg Heights, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Somali
Greek
Italian
Arabic
Cantonese
Vietnamese
Spanish
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+604
+3.0pp
Not stated
-50
-1.4pp
Mandarin
+46
+0.4pp
Somali
-24
-0.7pp
Greek
-3
-0.4pp
Italian
-22
-0.6pp
Arabic
+38
+0.5pp
Cantonese
+25
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
-8
-0.2pp
Spanish
+23
+0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Heidelberg Heights. 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 | 4,449 | 66.2% | 75.0% | 3,845 | 63.2% | 73.8% | +604 | +3.0pp |
| Not stated | 400 | 6.0% | 3.2% | 450 | 7.4% | 4.5% | -50 | -1.4pp |
| Mandarin | 232 | 3.5% | 4.0% | 186 | 3.1% | 3.4% | +46 | +0.4pp |
| Somali | 196 | 2.9% | 0.7% | 220 | 3.6% | 0.8% | -24 | -0.7pp |
| Greek | 195 | 2.9% | 2.0% | 198 | 3.3% | 2.1% | -3 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 167 | 2.5% | 2.4% | 189 | 3.1% | 3.0% | -22 | -0.6pp |
| Arabic | 132 | 2.0% | 1.0% | 94 | 1.5% | 1.0% | +38 | +0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 118 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 93 | 1.5% | 1.1% | +25 | +0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 86 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 94 | 1.5% | 0.7% | -8 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 52 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 29 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +23 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 6,722 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,084 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +638 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.