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 Delahey, accounting for 35.7% (2,891 people). This share was lower than Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Vietnamese, which increased by 234 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Delahey - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Delahey in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brimbank (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Delahey, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
English
2021 count
2,891
% of total
35.7%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
2,891
35.7%
+1.4pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,134
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
1,134
14.0%
+3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
430
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
430
5.3%
+0.7pp
Macedonian
2021 count
337
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
337
4.2%
-0.4pp
Hakka
2021 count
281
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
281
3.5%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
250
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
250
3.1%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
238
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
238
2.9%
-0.6pp
Maltese
2021 count
216
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
216
2.7%
-0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
190
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
190
2.3%
-0.4pp
Turkish
2021 count
173
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
173
2.1%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+32
+1.4pp
Vietnamese
+234
+3.2pp
Not stated
+43
+0.7pp
Macedonian
-43
-0.4pp
Hakka
-26
-0.2pp
Arabic
+7
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-57
-0.6pp
Maltese
-38
-0.4pp
Punjabi
-32
-0.4pp
Turkish
-47
-0.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Delahey. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | % | Brimbank (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,891 | 35.7% | 36.3% | 2,859 | 34.3% | 35.7% | +32 | +1.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,134 | 14.0% | 18.5% | 900 | 10.8% | 16.2% | +234 | +3.2pp |
| Not stated | 430 | 5.3% | 6.4% | 387 | 4.6% | 5.9% | +43 | +0.7pp |
| Macedonian | 337 | 4.2% | 2.2% | 380 | 4.6% | 2.4% | -43 | -0.4pp |
| Hakka | 281 | 3.5% | 0.5% | 307 | 3.7% | 0.5% | -26 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 250 | 3.1% | 2.2% | 243 | 2.9% | 2.2% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 238 | 2.9% | 1.5% | 295 | 3.5% | 1.6% | -57 | -0.6pp |
| Maltese | 216 | 2.7% | 2.1% | 254 | 3.1% | 2.6% | -38 | -0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 190 | 2.3% | 2.2% | 222 | 2.7% | 2.9% | -32 | -0.4pp |
| Turkish | 173 | 2.1% | 1.1% | 220 | 2.6% | 1.2% | -47 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 8,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,326 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -226 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.