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 Black Rock (Vic.), accounting for 86.1% (5,465 people). This share was higher than Bayside (C) (81.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 4,481 people, while its share rose by 14.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Black Rock (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Black Rock (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bayside (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Black Rock (Vic.), with comparison markers for Bayside (C).
English
2021 count
5,465
% of total
86.1%
Change from 2016
+14.6pp
5,465
86.1%
+14.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
207
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
207
3.3%
-0.7pp
Greek
2021 count
119
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
119
1.9%
+0.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
109
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-6.5pp
109
1.7%
-6.5pp
German
2021 count
52
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
52
0.8%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
52
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
52
0.8%
0.0pp
Russian
2021 count
49
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
49
0.8%
+0.6pp
French
2021 count
45
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
45
0.7%
+0.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
39
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
39
0.6%
+0.3pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-4,481
+14.6pp
Not stated
-355
-0.7pp
Greek
-22
+0.9pp
Mandarin
-1,038
-6.5pp
German
-10
+0.4pp
Italian
-55
0.0pp
Russian
+26
+0.6pp
French
+15
+0.5pp
Spanish
-7
+0.3pp
Afrikaans
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Black Rock (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bayside (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Bayside (C)% | Count | % | Bayside (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,465 | 86.1% | 81.1% | 9,946 | 71.5% | 80.2% | -4,481 | +14.6pp |
| Not stated | 207 | 3.3% | 3.5% | 562 | 4.0% | 5.1% | -355 | -0.7pp |
| Greek | 119 | 1.9% | 2.0% | 141 | 1.0% | 2.2% | -22 | +0.9pp |
| Mandarin | 109 | 1.7% | 2.8% | 1,147 | 8.2% | 2.1% | -1,038 | -6.5pp |
| German | 52 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 62 | 0.4% | 0.8% | -10 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 52 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 107 | 0.8% | 1.3% | -55 | 0.0pp |
| Russian | 49 | 0.8% | 1.3% | 23 | 0.2% | 1.3% | +26 | +0.6pp |
| French | 45 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 30 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +15 | +0.5pp |
| Spanish | 39 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 46 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -7 | +0.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 18 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 6,347 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,904 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -7,557 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.