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 Kealba, accounting for 50.9% (1,644 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Vietnamese, which increased by 56 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kealba - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Kealba 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 Kealba, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
English
2021 count
1,644
% of total
50.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,644
50.9%
-1.4pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
456
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
456
14.1%
+1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
187
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
187
5.8%
+3.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
120
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
120
3.7%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
93
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
93
2.9%
+0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
74
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
74
2.3%
+0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
73
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
73
2.3%
-0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
72
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
72
2.2%
-0.7pp
Croatian
2021 count
59
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
59
1.8%
-0.7pp
Spanish
2021 count
58
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
58
1.8%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-30
-1.4pp
Vietnamese
+56
+1.6pp
Not stated
+105
+3.2pp
Arabic
+2
0.0pp
Greek
+14
+0.4pp
Cantonese
+3
+0.1pp
Macedonian
-13
-0.4pp
Italian
-22
-0.7pp
Croatian
-20
-0.7pp
Spanish
-26
-0.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Kealba. 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 | 1,644 | 50.9% | 36.3% | 1,674 | 52.3% | 35.7% | -30 | -1.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 456 | 14.1% | 18.5% | 400 | 12.5% | 16.2% | +56 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 187 | 5.8% | 6.4% | 82 | 2.6% | 5.9% | +105 | +3.2pp |
| Arabic | 120 | 3.7% | 2.2% | 118 | 3.7% | 2.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 93 | 2.9% | 2.4% | 79 | 2.5% | 2.7% | +14 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 74 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 71 | 2.2% | 2.1% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 73 | 2.3% | 2.2% | 86 | 2.7% | 2.4% | -13 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 72 | 2.2% | 2.0% | 94 | 2.9% | 2.5% | -22 | -0.7pp |
| Croatian | 59 | 1.8% | 1.5% | 79 | 2.5% | 1.8% | -20 | -0.7pp |
| Spanish | 58 | 1.8% | 1.3% | 84 | 2.6% | 1.5% | -26 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 3,227 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,201 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +26 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.