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, accounting for 72.4% (5,306 people). This share was lower than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 973 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Heidelberg - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Heidelberg 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, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
2021 count
5,306
% of total
72.4%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
5,306
72.4%
+2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
309
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
309
4.2%
-1.4pp
Italian
2021 count
196
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
196
2.7%
-0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
196
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
196
2.7%
-0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
136
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
136
1.9%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
95
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
95
1.3%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
65
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
65
0.9%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
63
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
63
0.9%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
55
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
55
0.8%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
55
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
55
0.8%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+973
+2.6pp
Not stated
-39
-1.4pp
Italian
0
-0.5pp
Mandarin
-11
-0.6pp
Greek
+15
0.0pp
Cantonese
+20
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+12
0.0pp
Spanish
+19
+0.2pp
Hindi
+8
0.0pp
Filipino
+46
+0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Heidelberg. 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 | 5,306 | 72.4% | 75.0% | 4,333 | 69.8% | 73.8% | +973 | +2.6pp |
| Not stated | 309 | 4.2% | 3.2% | 348 | 5.6% | 4.5% | -39 | -1.4pp |
| Italian | 196 | 2.7% | 2.4% | 196 | 3.2% | 3.0% | 0 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 196 | 2.7% | 4.0% | 207 | 3.3% | 3.4% | -11 | -0.6pp |
| Greek | 136 | 1.9% | 2.0% | 121 | 1.9% | 2.1% | +15 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 95 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 75 | 1.2% | 1.1% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 65 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 53 | 0.9% | 0.3% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 63 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 44 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +19 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 55 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 47 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 55 | 0.8% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +46 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 7,329 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,212 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,117 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.