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 Sandringham (Vic.), accounting for 83.9% (9,178 people). This share was higher than Bayside (C) (81.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 506 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sandringham (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sandringham (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 Sandringham (Vic.), with comparison markers for Bayside (C).
English
2021 count
9,178
% of total
83.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
9,178
83.9%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
434
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
434
4.0%
-1.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
159
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
159
1.5%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
126
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
126
1.2%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
122
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
122
1.1%
-0.4pp
German
2021 count
106
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
106
1.0%
+0.2pp
Russian
2021 count
93
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
93
0.8%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
77
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
77
0.7%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
54
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
54
0.5%
-0.1pp
Polish
2021 count
39
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
39
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+506
+0.2pp
Not stated
-97
-1.1pp
Mandarin
+47
+0.4pp
Italian
+3
0.0pp
Greek
-33
-0.4pp
German
+19
+0.2pp
Russian
+40
+0.3pp
Spanish
+19
+0.1pp
French
-7
-0.1pp
Polish
+13
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sandringham (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 | 9,178 | 83.9% | 81.1% | 8,672 | 83.7% | 80.2% | +506 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 434 | 4.0% | 3.5% | 531 | 5.1% | 5.1% | -97 | -1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 159 | 1.5% | 2.8% | 112 | 1.1% | 2.1% | +47 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 126 | 1.2% | 1.0% | 123 | 1.2% | 1.3% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 122 | 1.1% | 2.0% | 155 | 1.5% | 2.2% | -33 | -0.4pp |
| German | 106 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 87 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +19 | +0.2pp |
| Russian | 93 | 0.8% | 1.3% | 53 | 0.5% | 1.3% | +40 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 77 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 58 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| French | 54 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 61 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Polish | 39 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 26 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 10,943 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,364 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +579 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.