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 (part), accounting for 75.1% (4,420 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 161 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Keilor (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Keilor (part) 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 (part), with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
English
2021 count
4,420
% of total
75.1%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
4,420
75.1%
+1.9pp
Italian
2021 count
283
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
283
4.8%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
180
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
180
3.1%
-0.9pp
Greek
2021 count
169
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
169
2.9%
-0.2pp
Croatian
2021 count
116
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
116
2.0%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
86
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
86
1.5%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
83
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
83
1.4%
+0.4pp
Macedonian
2021 count
72
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
72
1.2%
+0.3pp
Turkish
2021 count
48
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
48
0.8%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
48
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
48
0.8%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+161
+1.9pp
Italian
-40
-0.8pp
Not stated
-55
-0.9pp
Greek
-11
-0.2pp
Croatian
-5
-0.1pp
Arabic
-3
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+25
+0.4pp
Macedonian
+18
+0.3pp
Turkish
+3
0.0pp
Cantonese
-10
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Keilor (part). 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 | 4,420 | 75.1% | 36.3% | 4,259 | 73.2% | 35.7% | +161 | +1.9pp |
| Italian | 283 | 4.8% | 2.0% | 323 | 5.6% | 2.5% | -40 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 180 | 3.1% | 6.4% | 235 | 4.0% | 5.9% | -55 | -0.9pp |
| Greek | 169 | 2.9% | 2.4% | 180 | 3.1% | 2.7% | -11 | -0.2pp |
| Croatian | 116 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 121 | 2.1% | 1.8% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 86 | 1.5% | 2.2% | 89 | 1.5% | 2.2% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 83 | 1.4% | 18.5% | 58 | 1.0% | 16.2% | +25 | +0.4pp |
| Macedonian | 72 | 1.2% | 2.2% | 54 | 0.9% | 2.4% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Turkish | 48 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 45 | 0.8% | 1.2% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 48 | 0.8% | 2.1% | 58 | 1.0% | 2.1% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 5,888 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,817 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +71 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.