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 Derrimut, accounting for 36.1% (3,114 people). This share was similar to Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Vietnamese, which increased by 334 people and 3.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Derrimut - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Derrimut 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 Derrimut, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).

Derrimut
Brimbank (C)

English

2021 count

3,114

% of total

36.1%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

1,376

% of total

15.9%

Change from 2016

+3.3pp

Not stated

2021 count

444

% of total

5.1%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Tagalog

2021 count

325

% of total

3.8%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Filipino

2021 count

232

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Punjabi

2021 count

205

% of total

2.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Spanish

2021 count

189

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Cantonese

2021 count

160

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Mandarin

2021 count

155

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Macedonian

2021 count

146

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Language used at home for Derrimut. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).

Language used at home for Derrimut. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
Language used at home for Derrimut. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Brimbank (C)%Count%Brimbank (C)%Countpp
English3,11436.1%36.3%2,93735.7%35.7%+177+0.4pp
Vietnamese1,37615.9%18.5%1,04212.6%16.2%+334+3.3pp
Not stated4445.1%6.4%4024.9%5.9%+42+0.2pp
Tagalog3253.8%1.5%3904.7%1.6%-65-0.9pp
Filipino2322.7%1.0%2783.4%1.1%-46-0.7pp
Punjabi2052.4%2.2%1872.3%2.9%+18+0.1pp
Spanish1892.2%1.3%1972.4%1.5%-8-0.2pp
Cantonese1601.9%2.1%1902.3%2.1%-30-0.4pp
Mandarin1551.8%1.4%2102.5%1.5%-55-0.7pp
Macedonian1461.7%2.2%1361.7%2.4%+100.0pp
Total8,637100.0%100.0%8,238100.0%100.0%+3990.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.