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 Watsonia, accounting for 77.5% (4,136 people). This share was higher than Banyule (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 44 people, while its share fell by 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Watsonia - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Watsonia 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, with comparison markers for Banyule (C).
English
2021 count
4,136
% of total
77.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
4,136
77.5%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
200
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
200
3.7%
-0.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
162
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
162
3.0%
+0.6pp
Italian
2021 count
75
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
75
1.4%
-0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
71
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
71
1.3%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
40
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
40
0.7%
-0.4pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
40
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
40
0.7%
+0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
39
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
39
0.7%
+0.1pp
Somali
2021 count
35
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
35
0.7%
+0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
32
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
32
0.6%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+44
-1.2pp
Not stated
-40
-0.9pp
Mandarin
+37
+0.6pp
Italian
-15
-0.3pp
Cantonese
+4
0.0pp
Greek
-17
-0.4pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+22
+0.4pp
Spanish
+10
+0.1pp
Somali
+6
+0.1pp
Macedonian
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Watsonia. 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 | 4,136 | 77.5% | 75.0% | 4,092 | 78.7% | 73.8% | +44 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 200 | 3.7% | 3.2% | 240 | 4.6% | 4.5% | -40 | -0.9pp |
| Mandarin | 162 | 3.0% | 4.0% | 125 | 2.4% | 3.4% | +37 | +0.6pp |
| Italian | 75 | 1.4% | 2.4% | 90 | 1.7% | 3.0% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 71 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 67 | 1.3% | 1.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 40 | 0.7% | 2.0% | 57 | 1.1% | 2.1% | -17 | -0.4pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 40 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 18 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +22 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 39 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 29 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Somali | 35 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 29 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 32 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 34 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 5,338 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,200 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +138 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.