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 East Gippsland (S), accounting for 88.5% (43,084 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,527 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Gippsland (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for East Gippsland (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 East Gippsland (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
43,084
% of total
88.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
43,084
88.5%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,664
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
3,664
7.5%
-1.2pp
Italian
2021 count
181
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
181
0.4%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
153
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
153
0.3%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
130
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
130
0.3%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
114
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
114
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
93
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
93
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
92
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
92
0.2%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
89
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
89
0.2%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
71
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
71
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,527
+0.6pp
Not stated
-231
-1.2pp
Italian
-42
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+18
0.0pp
German
-32
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+37
0.0pp
Tagalog
+32
+0.1pp
Filipino
+40
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+60
+0.1pp
Thai
+46
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for East Gippsland (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 | 43,084 | 88.5% | 86.4% | 39,557 | 87.9% | 86.6% | +3,527 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,664 | 7.5% | 6.5% | 3,895 | 8.7% | 7.4% | -231 | -1.2pp |
| Italian | 181 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 223 | 0.5% | 0.7% | -42 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 153 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 135 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| German | 130 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 162 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -32 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 114 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 77 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +37 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 93 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 61 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +32 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 92 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 52 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +40 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 89 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 29 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +60 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 71 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +46 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 48,656 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 45,005 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,651 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.