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 Central Goldfields (S), accounting for 89.9% (12,098 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 346 people, while its share fell by 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Central Goldfields (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Central Goldfields (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 Central Goldfields (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
12,098
% of total
89.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
12,098
89.9%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
975
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
975
7.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
32
0.2%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
30
0.2%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
28
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
24
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.2%
0.0pp
Auslan
2021 count
16
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.1%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.1%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
14
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+346
-0.7pp
Not stated
+59
+0.1pp
Filipino
+6
0.0pp
Nepali
+23
+0.1pp
Greek
+8
0.0pp
Mandarin
0
0.0pp
Tagalog
+1
0.0pp
Auslan
+9
0.0pp
Italian
-1
0.0pp
Punjabi
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Central Goldfields (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 | 12,098 | 89.9% | 86.4% | 11,752 | 90.6% | 86.6% | +346 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 975 | 7.2% | 6.5% | 916 | 7.1% | 7.4% | +59 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 32 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 26 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 30 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 28 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 24 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 23 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 22 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Auslan | 16 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 15 | 0.1% | 0.5% | 16 | 0.1% | 0.7% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 14 | 0.1% | 0.5% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.2% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 13,456 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,966 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +490 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.