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 Watsonia North, accounting for 77.8% (2,964 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 54 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Watsonia North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Watsonia North 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 Watsonia North, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
Italian
Mandarin
Greek
Not stated
Macedonian
Cantonese
Hindi
Persian (excluding Dari)
Croatian
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+54
+1.1pp
Italian
-35
-0.9pp
Mandarin
+25
+0.6pp
Greek
-19
-0.5pp
Not stated
-35
-0.9pp
Macedonian
-12
-0.3pp
Cantonese
+3
0.0pp
Hindi
+4
+0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+18
+0.4pp
Croatian
-10
-0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Watsonia North. 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 | 2,964 | 77.8% | 75.0% | 2,910 | 76.7% | 73.8% | +54 | +1.1pp |
| Italian | 132 | 3.5% | 2.4% | 167 | 4.4% | 3.0% | -35 | -0.9pp |
| Mandarin | 108 | 2.8% | 4.0% | 83 | 2.2% | 3.4% | +25 | +0.6pp |
| Greek | 101 | 2.7% | 2.0% | 120 | 3.2% | 2.1% | -19 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 65 | 1.7% | 3.2% | 100 | 2.6% | 4.5% | -35 | -0.9pp |
| Macedonian | 48 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 60 | 1.6% | 0.7% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 47 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 44 | 1.2% | 1.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 30 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 26 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 28 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Croatian | 27 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 37 | 1.0% | 0.4% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 3,809 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,795 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +14 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.