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 (RC), accounting for 88.3% (12,802 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 451 people, while its share fell by 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Benalla (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Benalla (RC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Benalla (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
12,802
% of total
88.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
12,802
88.3%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,204
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,204
8.3%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
41
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
41
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
34
0.2%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
33
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.2%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
27
0.2%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
19
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.1%
-
French
2021 count
18
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+451
-1.1pp
Not stated
+85
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+29
+0.2pp
German
-7
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+3
0.0pp
Malayalam
+16
+0.1pp
Italian
-6
0.0pp
Arabic
+16
+0.1pp
French
+6
0.0pp
Hindi
+7
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Benalla (RC). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 12,802 | 88.3% | 86.4% | 12,351 | 89.4% | 86.6% | +451 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,204 | 8.3% | 6.5% | 1,119 | 8.1% | 7.4% | +85 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 41 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +29 | +0.2pp |
| German | 34 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 41 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 30 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 31 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 27 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 33 | 0.2% | 0.7% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 27 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 19 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| French | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 14,505 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,821 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +684 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.