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 West, accounting for 31.7% (5,876 people). This share was lower than Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,219 people, while its share fell by 57.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sunshine West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sunshine West 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 West, with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
English
2021 count
5,876
% of total
31.7%
Change from 2016
-57.3pp
5,876
31.7%
-57.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
3,771
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
-
3,771
20.4%
-
Not stated
2021 count
1,188
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
1,188
6.4%
-1.9pp
Greek
2021 count
881
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
881
4.8%
+4.3pp
Maltese
2021 count
516
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-
516
2.8%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
438
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-
438
2.4%
-
Macedonian
2021 count
423
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
423
2.3%
-
Turkish
2021 count
374
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-
374
2.0%
-
Arabic
2021 count
353
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-
353
1.9%
-
Italian
2021 count
345
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
345
1.9%
+1.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,219
-57.3pp
Not stated
+1,127
-1.9pp
Greek
+877
+4.3pp
Italian
+341
+1.4pp
Spanish
+250
+1.0pp
German
+16
-1.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sunshine West. 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 | 5,876 | 31.7% | 36.3% | 657 | 89.0% | 35.7% | +5,219 | -57.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 3,771 | 20.4% | 18.5% | - | - | 16.2% | - | - |
| Not stated | 1,188 | 6.4% | 6.4% | 61 | 8.3% | 5.9% | +1,127 | -1.9pp |
| Greek | 881 | 4.8% | 2.4% | 4 | 0.5% | 2.7% | +877 | +4.3pp |
| Maltese | 516 | 2.8% | 2.1% | - | - | 2.6% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 438 | 2.4% | 2.1% | - | - | 2.1% | - | - |
| Macedonian | 423 | 2.3% | 2.2% | - | - | 2.4% | - | - |
| Turkish | 374 | 2.0% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Arabic | 353 | 1.9% | 2.2% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Italian | 345 | 1.9% | 2.0% | 4 | 0.5% | 2.5% | +341 | +1.4pp |
| Total | 18,528 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 738 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +17,790 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.