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 English, which increased by 1,633 people, while its share fell by 17.9 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
-17.9pp
1,644
50.9%
-17.9pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
456
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-
456
14.1%
-
Not stated
2021 count
187
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-25.5pp
187
5.8%
-25.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
120
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-
120
3.7%
-
Greek
2021 count
93
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-
93
2.9%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
74
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
74
2.3%
-
Macedonian
2021 count
73
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
73
2.3%
-
Italian
2021 count
72
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-
72
2.2%
-
Croatian
2021 count
59
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
59
1.8%
-
Spanish
2021 count
58
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
58
1.8%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,633
-17.9pp
Not stated
+182
-25.5pp
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% | 11 | 68.8% | 35.7% | +1,633 | -17.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 456 | 14.1% | 18.5% | - | - | 16.2% | - | - |
| Not stated | 187 | 5.8% | 6.4% | 5 | 31.3% | 5.9% | +182 | -25.5pp |
| Arabic | 120 | 3.7% | 2.2% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Greek | 93 | 2.9% | 2.4% | - | - | 2.7% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 74 | 2.3% | 2.1% | - | - | 2.1% | - | - |
| Macedonian | 73 | 2.3% | 2.2% | - | - | 2.4% | - | - |
| Italian | 72 | 2.2% | 2.0% | - | - | 2.5% | - | - |
| Croatian | 59 | 1.8% | 1.5% | - | - | 1.8% | - | - |
| Spanish | 58 | 1.8% | 1.3% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Total | 3,227 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,211 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.