Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 spoken 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
Vietnamese
Not stated
Nepali
Cantonese
Mandarin
Greek
Spanish
Punjabi
Italian
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 spoken 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.