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 Bass Coast (S), accounting for 88.2% (35,984 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 7,137 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bass Coast (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bass Coast (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bass Coast (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
35,984
% of total
88.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
35,984
88.2%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,744
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,744
6.7%
-0.6pp
Italian
2021 count
283
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
283
0.7%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
161
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
161
0.4%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
126
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
126
0.3%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
117
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
117
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
106
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
106
0.3%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
90
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
90
0.2%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
68
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
68
0.2%
-0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
67
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
67
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7,137
+0.2pp
Not stated
+362
-0.6pp
Italian
+6
-0.1pp
Greek
+53
+0.1pp
German
+18
0.0pp
Spanish
+33
0.0pp
Mandarin
+13
0.0pp
Punjabi
+61
+0.1pp
Dutch
-28
-0.1pp
Malayalam
+25
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bass Coast (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 35,984 | 88.2% | 86.4% | 28,847 | 88.0% | 86.6% | +7,137 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 2,744 | 6.7% | 6.5% | 2,382 | 7.3% | 7.4% | +362 | -0.6pp |
| Italian | 283 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 277 | 0.8% | 0.7% | +6 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 161 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 108 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +53 | +0.1pp |
| German | 126 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 108 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 117 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 84 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +33 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 106 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 93 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 90 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 29 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +61 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 68 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 96 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -28 | -0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 67 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 42 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +25 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 40,802 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 32,778 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,024 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.