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 Lower Plenty, accounting for 83.7% (3,327 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 47 people, while its share fell by 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lower Plenty - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lower Plenty 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 Lower Plenty, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
2021 count
3,327
% of total
83.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
3,327
83.7%
-1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
133
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
133
3.3%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
109
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
109
2.7%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
63
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
63
1.6%
-0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
53
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
53
1.3%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
36
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
36
0.9%
+0.5pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
25
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25
0.6%
0.0pp
Macedonian
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
21
0.5%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.5%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+47
-1.0pp
Not stated
+12
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+20
+0.4pp
Italian
-16
-0.4pp
Greek
+5
+0.1pp
Arabic
+19
+0.5pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+3
0.0pp
Macedonian
-4
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+5
+0.1pp
Thai
+8
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lower Plenty. 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 | 3,327 | 83.7% | 75.0% | 3,280 | 84.7% | 73.8% | +47 | -1.0pp |
| Not stated | 133 | 3.3% | 3.2% | 121 | 3.1% | 4.5% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 109 | 2.7% | 4.0% | 89 | 2.3% | 3.4% | +20 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 63 | 1.6% | 2.4% | 79 | 2.0% | 3.0% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| Greek | 53 | 1.3% | 2.0% | 48 | 1.2% | 2.1% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 36 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 17 | 0.4% | 1.0% | +19 | +0.5pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 25 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 22 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian | 21 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 25 | 0.6% | 0.7% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 21 | 0.5% | 1.2% | 16 | 0.4% | 1.1% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 13 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,973 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,872 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +101 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.