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 Carrum Downs, accounting for 78.2% (17,168 people). This share was lower than Frankston (C) (83.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,238 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Carrum Downs - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Carrum Downs in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Frankston (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Carrum Downs, with comparison markers for Frankston (C).
English
2021 count
17,168
% of total
78.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
17,168
78.2%
+1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
993
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
993
4.5%
-1.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
216
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
216
1.0%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
214
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
214
1.0%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
202
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
202
0.9%
-0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
202
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
202
0.9%
+0.4pp
Tamil
2021 count
190
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
190
0.9%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
180
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
180
0.8%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
174
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
174
0.8%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
151
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
151
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,238
+1.2pp
Not stated
-313
-1.8pp
Mandarin
+82
+0.4pp
Greek
+56
+0.2pp
Hindi
-49
-0.3pp
Punjabi
+90
+0.4pp
Tamil
-14
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+14
0.0pp
Filipino
+51
+0.2pp
Arabic
+8
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Carrum Downs. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Frankston (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Frankston (C)% | Count | % | Frankston (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 17,168 | 78.2% | 83.6% | 15,930 | 77.0% | 82.5% | +1,238 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 993 | 4.5% | 5.1% | 1,306 | 6.3% | 6.2% | -313 | -1.8pp |
| Mandarin | 216 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 134 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +82 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 214 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 158 | 0.8% | 0.9% | +56 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 202 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 251 | 1.2% | 0.4% | -49 | -0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 202 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 112 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +90 | +0.4pp |
| Tamil | 190 | 0.9% | 0.2% | 204 | 1.0% | 0.3% | -14 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 180 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 166 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 174 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 123 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +51 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 151 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 143 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 21,947 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,684 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,263 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.