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 Buloke (S), accounting for 88.5% (5,444 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 30 people, while its share rose by 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Buloke (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Buloke (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Buloke (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
5,444
% of total
88.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
5,444
88.5%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
534
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
534
8.7%
-0.4pp
Malayalam
2021 count
28
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
28
0.5%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
20
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.3%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.3%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.2%
-
Thai
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10
0.2%
+0.2pp
Cebuano
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-30
+0.2pp
Not stated
-31
-0.4pp
Malayalam
-8
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+5
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+3
+0.1pp
Thai
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Buloke (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,444 | 88.5% | 86.4% | 5,474 | 88.3% | 86.6% | -30 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 534 | 8.7% | 6.5% | 565 | 9.1% | 7.4% | -31 | -0.4pp |
| Malayalam | 28 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 36 | 0.6% | 0.1% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 20 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 18 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Thai | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Cebuano | 10 | 0.2% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 6,153 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,201 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -48 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.