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 Sunshine (Vic.), accounting for 40.7% (3,833 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 338 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sunshine (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sunshine (Vic.) 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 (Vic.), with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
English
2021 count
3,833
% of total
40.7%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
3,833
40.7%
+5.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,620
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,620
17.2%
+1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
614
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
614
6.5%
-0.8pp
Nepali
2021 count
335
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
335
3.6%
+1.6pp
Cantonese
2021 count
236
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
236
2.5%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
201
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
201
2.1%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
178
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
178
1.9%
-0.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
155
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
155
1.6%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
148
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
148
1.6%
-1.7pp
Italian
2021 count
130
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
130
1.4%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+338
+5.0pp
Vietnamese
+40
+1.1pp
Not stated
-100
-0.8pp
Nepali
+142
+1.6pp
Cantonese
-20
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-10
-0.1pp
Greek
-57
-0.5pp
Spanish
+27
+0.3pp
Punjabi
-176
-1.7pp
Italian
-40
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sunshine (Vic.). 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 | 3,833 | 40.7% | 36.3% | 3,495 | 35.7% | 35.7% | +338 | +5.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,620 | 17.2% | 18.5% | 1,580 | 16.1% | 16.2% | +40 | +1.1pp |
| Not stated | 614 | 6.5% | 6.4% | 714 | 7.3% | 5.9% | -100 | -0.8pp |
| Nepali | 335 | 3.6% | 0.6% | 193 | 2.0% | 0.3% | +142 | +1.6pp |
| Cantonese | 236 | 2.5% | 2.1% | 256 | 2.6% | 2.1% | -20 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 201 | 2.1% | 1.4% | 211 | 2.2% | 1.5% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 178 | 1.9% | 2.4% | 235 | 2.4% | 2.7% | -57 | -0.5pp |
| Spanish | 155 | 1.6% | 1.3% | 128 | 1.3% | 1.5% | +27 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 148 | 1.6% | 2.2% | 324 | 3.3% | 2.9% | -176 | -1.7pp |
| Italian | 130 | 1.4% | 2.0% | 170 | 1.7% | 2.5% | -40 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 9,415 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,787 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -372 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.