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 Viewbank, accounting for 65.8% (4,641 people). This share was lower than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 213 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Viewbank - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Viewbank 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 Viewbank, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
2021 count
4,641
% of total
65.8%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
4,641
65.8%
-2.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
670
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
670
9.5%
+2.9pp
Italian
2021 count
206
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
206
2.9%
-1.4pp
Greek
2021 count
197
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
197
2.8%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
142
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
142
2.0%
-1.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
131
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
131
1.9%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
78
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
78
1.1%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
78
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
78
1.1%
+0.5pp
Hindi
2021 count
76
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
76
1.1%
+0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
71
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
71
1.0%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-62
-2.0pp
Mandarin
+213
+2.9pp
Italian
-94
-1.4pp
Greek
-22
-0.4pp
Not stated
-64
-1.0pp
Cantonese
+10
+0.2pp
Arabic
-5
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+35
+0.5pp
Hindi
+19
+0.3pp
Malayalam
+18
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Viewbank. 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 | 4,641 | 65.8% | 75.0% | 4,703 | 67.8% | 73.8% | -62 | -2.0pp |
| Mandarin | 670 | 9.5% | 4.0% | 457 | 6.6% | 3.4% | +213 | +2.9pp |
| Italian | 206 | 2.9% | 2.4% | 300 | 4.3% | 3.0% | -94 | -1.4pp |
| Greek | 197 | 2.8% | 2.0% | 219 | 3.2% | 2.1% | -22 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 142 | 2.0% | 3.2% | 206 | 3.0% | 4.5% | -64 | -1.0pp |
| Cantonese | 131 | 1.9% | 1.2% | 121 | 1.7% | 1.1% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 78 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 83 | 1.2% | 1.0% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 78 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 43 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +35 | +0.5pp |
| Hindi | 76 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 57 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 71 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 53 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 7,055 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,940 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +115 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.