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 Keilor Downs, accounting for 47.1% (4,624 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Vietnamese, which increased by 101 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Keilor Downs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Keilor Downs 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 Keilor Downs, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
English
2021 count
4,624
% of total
47.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
4,624
47.1%
+1.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
771
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
771
7.9%
+1.2pp
Greek
2021 count
525
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
525
5.3%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
462
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
462
4.7%
+0.6pp
Macedonian
2021 count
418
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
418
4.3%
-0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
359
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
359
3.7%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
318
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
318
3.2%
-0.7pp
Croatian
2021 count
303
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
303
3.1%
-0.6pp
Maltese
2021 count
193
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
193
2.0%
-0.3pp
Turkish
2021 count
176
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
176
1.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+24
+1.0pp
Vietnamese
+101
+1.2pp
Greek
-46
-0.4pp
Not stated
+53
+0.6pp
Macedonian
-44
-0.3pp
Arabic
-10
0.0pp
Italian
-72
-0.7pp
Croatian
-63
-0.6pp
Maltese
-39
-0.3pp
Turkish
-23
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Keilor Downs. 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 | 4,624 | 47.1% | 36.3% | 4,600 | 46.1% | 35.7% | +24 | +1.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 771 | 7.9% | 18.5% | 670 | 6.7% | 16.2% | +101 | +1.2pp |
| Greek | 525 | 5.3% | 2.4% | 571 | 5.7% | 2.7% | -46 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 462 | 4.7% | 6.4% | 409 | 4.1% | 5.9% | +53 | +0.6pp |
| Macedonian | 418 | 4.3% | 2.2% | 462 | 4.6% | 2.4% | -44 | -0.3pp |
| Arabic | 359 | 3.7% | 2.2% | 369 | 3.7% | 2.2% | -10 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 318 | 3.2% | 2.0% | 390 | 3.9% | 2.5% | -72 | -0.7pp |
| Croatian | 303 | 3.1% | 1.5% | 366 | 3.7% | 1.8% | -63 | -0.6pp |
| Maltese | 193 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 232 | 2.3% | 2.6% | -39 | -0.3pp |
| Turkish | 176 | 1.8% | 1.1% | 199 | 2.0% | 1.2% | -23 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 9,816 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,980 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -164 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.