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 Sydenham (Vic.), accounting for 49.4% (5,210 people). This share was higher than Brimbank (C) (36.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 166 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sydenham (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sydenham (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 Sydenham (Vic.), with comparison markers for Brimbank (C).
English
2021 count
5,210
% of total
49.4%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
5,210
49.4%
+2.8pp
Punjabi
2021 count
604
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
604
5.7%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
526
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
526
5.0%
-1.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
314
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
314
3.0%
+0.7pp
Macedonian
2021 count
313
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
313
3.0%
+0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
291
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
291
2.8%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
235
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
235
2.2%
-0.7pp
Croatian
2021 count
214
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
214
2.0%
-0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
213
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
213
2.0%
+0.1pp
Maltese
2021 count
209
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
209
2.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+166
+2.8pp
Punjabi
-96
-0.8pp
Not stated
-145
-1.2pp
Vietnamese
+64
+0.7pp
Macedonian
+22
+0.3pp
Arabic
+30
+0.4pp
Italian
-74
-0.7pp
Croatian
-68
-0.6pp
Greek
+11
+0.1pp
Maltese
-5
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sydenham (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 | 5,210 | 49.4% | 36.3% | 5,044 | 46.6% | 35.7% | +166 | +2.8pp |
| Punjabi | 604 | 5.7% | 2.2% | 700 | 6.5% | 2.9% | -96 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 526 | 5.0% | 6.4% | 671 | 6.2% | 5.9% | -145 | -1.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 314 | 3.0% | 18.5% | 250 | 2.3% | 16.2% | +64 | +0.7pp |
| Macedonian | 313 | 3.0% | 2.2% | 291 | 2.7% | 2.4% | +22 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 291 | 2.8% | 2.2% | 261 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +30 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 235 | 2.2% | 2.0% | 309 | 2.9% | 2.5% | -74 | -0.7pp |
| Croatian | 214 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 282 | 2.6% | 1.8% | -68 | -0.6pp |
| Greek | 213 | 2.0% | 2.4% | 202 | 1.9% | 2.7% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Maltese | 209 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 214 | 2.0% | 2.6% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 10,554 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,817 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -263 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.