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 Bayside (C), accounting for 81.1% (82,132 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,264 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bayside (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bayside (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bayside (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
82,132
% of total
81.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
82,132
81.1%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,534
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
3,534
3.5%
-1.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,853
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
2,853
2.8%
+0.7pp
Greek
2021 count
2,013
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,013
2.0%
-0.2pp
Russian
2021 count
1,310
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,310
1.3%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
1,023
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,023
1.0%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
694
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
694
0.7%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
660
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
660
0.7%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
549
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
549
0.5%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
475
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
475
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,264
+0.9pp
Not stated
-1,454
-1.6pp
Mandarin
+860
+0.7pp
Greek
-76
-0.2pp
Russian
+50
0.0pp
Italian
-233
-0.3pp
Spanish
+190
+0.2pp
German
-90
-0.1pp
French
-56
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+57
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bayside (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 82,132 | 81.1% | 61.1% | 77,868 | 80.2% | 62.0% | +4,264 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 3,534 | 3.5% | 4.8% | 4,988 | 5.1% | 5.6% | -1,454 | -1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 2,853 | 2.8% | 4.3% | 1,993 | 2.1% | 4.1% | +860 | +0.7pp |
| Greek | 2,013 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 2,089 | 2.2% | 2.4% | -76 | -0.2pp |
| Russian | 1,310 | 1.3% | 0.4% | 1,260 | 1.3% | 0.4% | +50 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 1,023 | 1.0% | 1.7% | 1,256 | 1.3% | 2.3% | -233 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 694 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 504 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +190 | +0.2pp |
| German | 660 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 750 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -90 | -0.1pp |
| French | 549 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 605 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -56 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 475 | 0.5% | 1.6% | 418 | 0.4% | 1.7% | +57 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 101,306 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 97,079 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,227 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.