Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken at home for Central Goldfields (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Goldfields (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
Not stated
Filipino
Nepali
Greek
Mandarin
Tagalog
Auslan
Italian
Punjabi
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 spoken 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.