Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken 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
Vietnamese
Not stated
Arabic
Greek
Cantonese
Macedonian
Italian
Croatian
Spanish
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 spoken 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.