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 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 spoken at home for Lower Plenty 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 Lower Plenty, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Italian
Greek
Arabic
Persian (excluding Dari)
Macedonian
Cantonese
Thai
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 spoken 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.