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 Macleod (Vic.) (part), accounting for 75.5% (7,442 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,775 people, while its share fell by 18.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Macleod (Vic.) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Macleod (Vic.) (part) 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 Macleod (Vic.) (part), with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
2021 count
7,442
% of total
75.5%
Change from 2016
-18.5pp
7,442
75.5%
-18.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
371
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
371
3.8%
+3.6pp
Italian
2021 count
225
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
225
2.3%
-
Not stated
2021 count
225
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
225
2.3%
-2.5pp
Greek
2021 count
120
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
120
1.2%
+1.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
119
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
119
1.2%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
117
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
117
1.2%
-
Hindi
2021 count
111
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
111
1.1%
+1.0pp
Croatian
2021 count
94
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
94
1.0%
-
Sinhalese
2021 count
68
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
68
0.7%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,775
-18.5pp
Mandarin
+363
+3.6pp
Not stated
-14
-2.5pp
Greek
+117
+1.1pp
Hindi
+108
+1.0pp
Tamil
+40
+0.3pp
Arabic
+36
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+36
+0.3pp
Indonesian
+33
+0.3pp
Japanese
+33
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Macleod (Vic.) (part). 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 | 7,442 | 75.5% | 75.0% | 4,667 | 94.0% | 73.8% | +2,775 | -18.5pp |
| Mandarin | 371 | 3.8% | 4.0% | 8 | 0.2% | 3.4% | +363 | +3.6pp |
| Italian | 225 | 2.3% | 2.4% | - | - | 3.0% | - | - |
| Not stated | 225 | 2.3% | 3.2% | 239 | 4.8% | 4.5% | -14 | -2.5pp |
| Greek | 120 | 1.2% | 2.0% | 3 | 0.1% | 2.1% | +117 | +1.1pp |
| Macedonian | 119 | 1.2% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 117 | 1.2% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.1% | - | - |
| Hindi | 111 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +108 | +1.0pp |
| Croatian | 94 | 1.0% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Sinhalese | 68 | 0.7% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Total | 9,861 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,967 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,894 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.