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 Bellerive, accounting for 82.6% (4,064 people). This share was lower than Clarence (C) (86.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 130 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bellerive - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bellerive in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Clarence (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bellerive, with comparison markers for Clarence (C).
English
2021 count
4,064
% of total
82.6%
Change from 2016
-6.7pp
4,064
82.6%
-6.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
193
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
193
3.9%
-1.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
157
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
157
3.2%
+2.6pp
Nepali
2021 count
116
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
116
2.4%
+2.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
34
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
34
0.7%
+0.4pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
34
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
34
0.7%
+0.4pp
Portuguese
2021 count
33
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
33
0.7%
+0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
27
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
27
0.5%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
24
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
24
0.5%
+0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
23
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
23
0.5%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+66
-6.7pp
Not stated
-42
-1.3pp
Mandarin
+130
+2.6pp
Nepali
+102
+2.1pp
Punjabi
+20
+0.4pp
Vietnamese
+20
+0.4pp
Portuguese
+29
+0.6pp
Greek
-5
-0.2pp
Cantonese
+18
+0.4pp
Spanish
+17
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bellerive. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Clarence (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Clarence (C)% | Count | % | Clarence (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,064 | 82.6% | 86.9% | 3,998 | 89.3% | 90.3% | +66 | -6.7pp |
| Not stated | 193 | 3.9% | 4.8% | 235 | 5.2% | 5.7% | -42 | -1.3pp |
| Mandarin | 157 | 3.2% | 1.5% | 27 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +130 | +2.6pp |
| Nepali | 116 | 2.4% | 1.2% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +102 | +2.1pp |
| Punjabi | 34 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +20 | +0.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 34 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +20 | +0.4pp |
| Portuguese | 33 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +29 | +0.6pp |
| Greek | 27 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 32 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 24 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 23 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 4,919 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,476 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +443 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.