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 Casey (C), accounting for 53.1% (193,800 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 16,527 people, while its share fell by 6.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Casey (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Casey (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Casey (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
193,800
% of total
53.1%
Change from 2016
-6.1pp
193,800
53.1%
-6.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
18,913
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
18,913
5.2%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
16,865
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
16,865
4.6%
+2.4pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
12,863
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
12,863
3.5%
+0.5pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
11,772
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
11,772
3.2%
+1.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
7,947
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
7,947
2.2%
+0.3pp
Dari
2021 count
7,233
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
7,233
2.0%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
6,485
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
6,485
1.8%
+0.2pp
Tamil
2021 count
6,034
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
6,034
1.7%
+0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
5,451
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
5,451
1.5%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+16,527
-6.1pp
Not stated
+4,160
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+10,168
+2.4pp
Sinhalese
+3,894
+0.5pp
Hazaraghi
+7,833
+1.9pp
Mandarin
+2,121
+0.3pp
Dari
+701
-0.2pp
Hindi
+1,765
+0.2pp
Tamil
+1,952
+0.3pp
Malayalam
+2,358
+0.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Casey (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 193,800 | 53.1% | 61.1% | 177,273 | 59.2% | 62.0% | +16,527 | -6.1pp |
| Not stated | 18,913 | 5.2% | 4.8% | 14,753 | 4.9% | 5.6% | +4,160 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 16,865 | 4.6% | 2.0% | 6,697 | 2.2% | 1.2% | +10,168 | +2.4pp |
| Sinhalese | 12,863 | 3.5% | 1.0% | 8,969 | 3.0% | 0.8% | +3,894 | +0.5pp |
| Hazaraghi | 11,772 | 3.2% | 0.4% | 3,939 | 1.3% | 0.2% | +7,833 | +1.9pp |
| Mandarin | 7,947 | 2.2% | 4.3% | 5,826 | 1.9% | 4.1% | +2,121 | +0.3pp |
| Dari | 7,233 | 2.0% | 0.2% | 6,532 | 2.2% | 0.3% | +701 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 6,485 | 1.8% | 1.3% | 4,720 | 1.6% | 1.1% | +1,765 | +0.2pp |
| Tamil | 6,034 | 1.7% | 0.7% | 4,082 | 1.4% | 0.6% | +1,952 | +0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 5,451 | 1.5% | 0.4% | 3,093 | 1.0% | 0.3% | +2,358 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 365,216 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 299,287 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +65,929 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.