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 Brighton (Vic.), accounting for 80.5% (18,711 people). This share was lower than Bayside (C) (81.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 355 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Brighton (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Brighton (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 Brighton (Vic.), with comparison markers for Bayside (C).
English
2021 count
18,711
% of total
80.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
18,711
80.5%
+1.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
921
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
921
4.0%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
877
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
877
3.8%
-2.0pp
Greek
2021 count
420
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
420
1.8%
-0.1pp
Russian
2021 count
304
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
304
1.3%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
268
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
268
1.2%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
137
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
137
0.6%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
132
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
132
0.6%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
128
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
128
0.6%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
107
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
107
0.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+355
+1.5pp
Mandarin
+185
+0.8pp
Not stated
-467
-2.0pp
Greek
-27
-0.1pp
Russian
-10
-0.1pp
Italian
-70
-0.3pp
Spanish
+28
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-9
0.0pp
French
-46
-0.1pp
German
-60
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Brighton (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 | 18,711 | 80.5% | 81.1% | 18,356 | 79.0% | 80.2% | +355 | +1.5pp |
| Mandarin | 921 | 4.0% | 2.8% | 736 | 3.2% | 2.1% | +185 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 877 | 3.8% | 3.5% | 1,344 | 5.8% | 5.1% | -467 | -2.0pp |
| Greek | 420 | 1.8% | 2.0% | 447 | 1.9% | 2.2% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Russian | 304 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 314 | 1.4% | 1.3% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 268 | 1.2% | 1.0% | 338 | 1.5% | 1.3% | -70 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 137 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 109 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 132 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 141 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -9 | 0.0pp |
| French | 128 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 174 | 0.7% | 0.6% | -46 | -0.1pp |
| German | 107 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 167 | 0.7% | 0.8% | -60 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 23,255 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23,227 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +28 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.