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 Baw Baw (S), accounting for 89.6% (51,600 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 8,241 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Baw Baw (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Baw Baw (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 Baw Baw (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
51,600
% of total
89.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
51,600
89.6%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,214
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
3,214
5.6%
-1.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
267
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
267
0.5%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
196
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
196
0.3%
-0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
149
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
149
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
133
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
133
0.2%
-0.1pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
117
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
117
0.2%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
112
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
112
0.2%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
97
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
97
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
94
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
94
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+8,241
+0.2pp
Not stated
+18
-1.0pp
Mandarin
+119
+0.2pp
Italian
-80
-0.3pp
Punjabi
+85
+0.2pp
German
+10
-0.1pp
Sinhalese
+68
+0.1pp
Dutch
-21
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+59
+0.1pp
Spanish
+33
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Baw Baw (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 | 51,600 | 89.6% | 86.4% | 43,359 | 89.4% | 86.6% | +8,241 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 3,214 | 5.6% | 6.5% | 3,196 | 6.6% | 7.4% | +18 | -1.0pp |
| Mandarin | 267 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 148 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +119 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 196 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 276 | 0.6% | 0.7% | -80 | -0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 149 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 64 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +85 | +0.2pp |
| German | 133 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 123 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +10 | -0.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 117 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 49 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +68 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 112 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 133 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 97 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 38 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +59 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 94 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 61 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 57,597 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 48,485 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,112 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.