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 Colac-Otway (S), accounting for 87.8% (19,672 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,029 people, while its share fell by 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Colac-Otway (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Colac-Otway (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 Colac-Otway (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
19,672
% of total
87.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
19,672
87.8%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,447
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,447
6.5%
-0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
313
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
313
1.4%
+1.0pp
Italian
2021 count
55
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
55
0.2%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
45
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
45
0.2%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
41
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
41
0.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
40
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
40
0.2%
-0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
35
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
35
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
34
0.2%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
29
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
29
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,029
-1.1pp
Not stated
+4
-0.4pp
Mandarin
+232
+1.0pp
Italian
-11
-0.1pp
Greek
-4
0.0pp
Filipino
+9
0.0pp
Arabic
-25
-0.1pp
Malayalam
+12
+0.1pp
German
-6
0.0pp
French
+7
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Colac-Otway (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 | 19,672 | 87.8% | 86.4% | 18,643 | 88.9% | 86.6% | +1,029 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,447 | 6.5% | 6.5% | 1,443 | 6.9% | 7.4% | +4 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 313 | 1.4% | 0.6% | 81 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +232 | +1.0pp |
| Italian | 55 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 66 | 0.3% | 0.7% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 45 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 49 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 41 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 40 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 65 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -25 | -0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 35 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 23 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| German | 34 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 40 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| French | 29 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 22 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 22,403 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,974 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,429 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.