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 Heidelberg West, accounting for 57.8% (3,032 people). This share was lower than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 253 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Heidelberg West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Heidelberg West 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 Heidelberg West, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
2021 count
3,032
% of total
57.8%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
3,032
57.8%
+7.6pp
Somali
2021 count
422
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
422
8.1%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
382
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
382
7.3%
-5.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
220
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
220
4.2%
+0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
179
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
179
3.4%
-0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
100
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
100
1.9%
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
93
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
93
1.8%
-0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
80
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
80
1.5%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
51
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
51
1.0%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
50
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
50
1.0%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+253
+7.6pp
Somali
-140
-2.1pp
Not stated
-308
-5.2pp
Mandarin
+11
+0.4pp
Arabic
-40
-0.6pp
Greek
+21
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
-25
-0.3pp
Cantonese
+12
+0.3pp
Italian
+6
+0.2pp
Spanish
+33
+0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Heidelberg West. 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 | 3,032 | 57.8% | 75.0% | 2,779 | 50.2% | 73.8% | +253 | +7.6pp |
| Somali | 422 | 8.1% | 0.7% | 562 | 10.2% | 0.8% | -140 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 382 | 7.3% | 3.2% | 690 | 12.5% | 4.5% | -308 | -5.2pp |
| Mandarin | 220 | 4.2% | 4.0% | 209 | 3.8% | 3.4% | +11 | +0.4pp |
| Arabic | 179 | 3.4% | 1.0% | 219 | 4.0% | 1.0% | -40 | -0.6pp |
| Greek | 100 | 1.9% | 2.0% | 79 | 1.4% | 2.1% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 93 | 1.8% | 0.7% | 118 | 2.1% | 0.7% | -25 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 80 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 68 | 1.2% | 1.1% | +12 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 51 | 1.0% | 2.4% | 45 | 0.8% | 3.0% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 50 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +33 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 5,242 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,536 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -294 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.