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 Highett (part), accounting for 76.1% (9,123 people). This share was lower than Bayside (C) (81.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,408 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Highett (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Highett (part) 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 Highett (part), with comparison markers for Bayside (C).
English
2021 count
9,123
% of total
76.1%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
9,123
76.1%
+2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
404
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
404
3.4%
-1.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
333
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
333
2.8%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
325
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
325
2.7%
-0.6pp
Russian
2021 count
219
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
219
1.8%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
122
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
122
1.0%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
100
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
100
0.8%
0.0pp
Polish
2021 count
95
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
95
0.8%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
85
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
85
0.7%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
84
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
84
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,408
+2.4pp
Not stated
-145
-1.8pp
Mandarin
+83
+0.4pp
Greek
-16
-0.6pp
Russian
+27
0.0pp
Italian
-5
-0.2pp
Cantonese
+16
0.0pp
Polish
+2
-0.1pp
Hindi
-4
-0.2pp
Spanish
+16
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Highett (part). 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 | 9,123 | 76.1% | 81.1% | 7,715 | 73.7% | 80.2% | +1,408 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 404 | 3.4% | 3.5% | 549 | 5.2% | 5.1% | -145 | -1.8pp |
| Mandarin | 333 | 2.8% | 2.8% | 250 | 2.4% | 2.1% | +83 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 325 | 2.7% | 2.0% | 341 | 3.3% | 2.2% | -16 | -0.6pp |
| Russian | 219 | 1.8% | 1.3% | 192 | 1.8% | 1.3% | +27 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 122 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 127 | 1.2% | 1.3% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 100 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 84 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Polish | 95 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 93 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 85 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 89 | 0.9% | 0.3% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 84 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 68 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 11,994 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,468 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,526 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.