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 Benalla, accounting for 87.7% (9,482 people). This share was lower than Benalla (RC) (88.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 269 people, while its share fell by 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Benalla - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Benalla in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Benalla (RC) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Benalla, with comparison markers for Benalla (RC).
English
2021 count
9,482
% of total
87.7%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
9,482
87.7%
-1.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
876
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
876
8.1%
+0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
40
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
40
0.4%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
33
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
0.3%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
31
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
31
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
28
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
28
0.3%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
25
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
25
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
21
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
19
0.2%
-0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+269
-1.7pp
Not stated
+89
+0.5pp
Punjabi
+28
+0.3pp
Mandarin
+8
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+16
+0.2pp
German
-12
-0.1pp
Arabic
+14
+0.1pp
French
+11
+0.1pp
Italian
-7
-0.1pp
Hindi
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Benalla. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Benalla (RC).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Benalla (RC)% | Count | % | Benalla (RC)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 9,482 | 87.7% | 88.3% | 9,213 | 89.4% | 89.4% | +269 | -1.7pp |
| Not stated | 876 | 8.1% | 8.3% | 787 | 7.6% | 8.1% | +89 | +0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 40 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +28 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 31 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| German | 28 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 40 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| French | 21 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 19 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 26 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Nepali | 19 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 10,807 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,307 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +500 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.