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, Vietnamese was the most common language used at home among residents in Sunshine North, accounting for 39.1% (4,696 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (18.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Vietnamese, which increased by 424 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sunshine North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sunshine North 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 Sunshine North, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
Vietnamese
2021 count
4,696
% of total
39.1%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
4,696
39.1%
+2.6pp
English
2021 count
2,857
% of total
23.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
2,857
23.8%
+1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
803
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
803
6.7%
+1.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
481
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
481
4.0%
-0.5pp
Maltese
2021 count
422
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
422
3.5%
-1.2pp
Italian
2021 count
229
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
229
1.9%
-0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
158
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
158
1.3%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
152
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
152
1.3%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
148
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
148
1.2%
-0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
128
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
128
1.1%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Vietnamese
+424
+2.6pp
English
+230
+1.3pp
Not stated
+182
+1.4pp
Cantonese
-44
-0.5pp
Maltese
-122
-1.2pp
Italian
-72
-0.7pp
Mandarin
+33
+0.2pp
Arabic
-16
-0.1pp
Spanish
-28
-0.3pp
Tagalog
+40
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sunshine North. 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 | |
| Vietnamese | 4,696 | 39.1% | 18.5% | 4,272 | 36.5% | 16.2% | +424 | +2.6pp |
| English | 2,857 | 23.8% | 36.3% | 2,627 | 22.5% | 35.7% | +230 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 803 | 6.7% | 6.4% | 621 | 5.3% | 5.9% | +182 | +1.4pp |
| Cantonese | 481 | 4.0% | 2.1% | 525 | 4.5% | 2.1% | -44 | -0.5pp |
| Maltese | 422 | 3.5% | 2.1% | 544 | 4.7% | 2.6% | -122 | -1.2pp |
| Italian | 229 | 1.9% | 2.0% | 301 | 2.6% | 2.5% | -72 | -0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 158 | 1.3% | 1.4% | 125 | 1.1% | 1.5% | +33 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 152 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 168 | 1.4% | 2.2% | -16 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 148 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 176 | 1.5% | 1.5% | -28 | -0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 128 | 1.1% | 1.5% | 88 | 0.8% | 1.6% | +40 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 11,995 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,698 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +297 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.