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 Park, accounting for 64.5% (1,716 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 5,535 people and 2.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Keilor Park - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Keilor Park
Brimbank (C)

English

2021 count

1,716

% of total

64.5%

Change from 2016

-2.8pp

Italian

2021 count

379

% of total

14.2%

Change from 2016

+12.7pp

Greek

2021 count

124

% of total

4.7%

Change from 2016

+4.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

104

% of total

3.9%

Change from 2016

-3.1pp

Arabic

2021 count

34

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Spanish

2021 count

27

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

24

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

Cantonese

2021 count

24

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-2.2pp

Sinhalese

2021 count

22

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Maltese

2021 count

21

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Keilor Park. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brimbank (C).
Language used at home for Keilor Park. 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
English1,71664.5%36.3%7,25167.3%35.7%-5,535-2.8pp
Italian37914.2%2.0%1621.5%2.5%+217+12.7pp
Greek1244.7%2.4%770.7%2.7%+47+4.0pp
Not stated1043.9%6.4%7517.0%5.9%-647-3.1pp
Arabic341.3%2.2%1010.9%2.2%-67+0.4pp
Spanish271.0%1.3%1581.5%1.5%-131-0.5pp
Vietnamese240.9%18.5%3152.9%16.2%-291-2.0pp
Cantonese240.9%2.1%3303.1%2.1%-306-2.2pp
Sinhalese220.8%0.5%180.2%0.5%+4+0.6pp
Maltese210.8%2.1%270.3%2.6%-6+0.5pp
Total2,662100.0%100.0%10,775100.0%100.0%-8,1130.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.