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 Frankston North, accounting for 78.4% (4,450 people). This share was lower than Frankston (C) (83.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nuer, which decreased by 32 people and 0.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Frankston North - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Frankston North 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 Frankston North, with comparison markers for Frankston (C).

Frankston North
Frankston (C)

English

2021 count

4,450

% of total

78.4%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

610

% of total

10.7%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Mandarin

2021 count

54

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Greek

2021 count

40

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Bosnian

2021 count

30

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Serbian

2021 count

29

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tagalog

2021 count

27

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Spanish

2021 count

25

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Cantonese

2021 count

24

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Russian

2021 count

22

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Language used at home for Frankston North. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Frankston (C).

Language used at home for Frankston North. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Frankston (C).
Language used at home for Frankston North. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Frankston (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Frankston (C)%Count%Frankston (C)%Countpp
English4,45078.4%83.6%4,47477.9%82.5%-24+0.5pp
Not stated61010.7%5.1%62510.9%6.2%-15-0.2pp
Mandarin541.0%1.0%370.6%0.8%+17+0.4pp
Greek400.7%0.9%400.7%0.9%00.0pp
Bosnian300.5%0.2%330.6%0.2%-3-0.1pp
Serbian290.5%0.2%250.4%0.2%+4+0.1pp
Tagalog270.5%0.3%170.3%0.3%+10+0.2pp
Spanish250.4%0.5%220.4%0.5%+30.0pp
Cantonese240.4%0.3%140.2%0.3%+10+0.2pp
Russian220.4%0.5%230.4%0.4%-10.0pp
Total5,678100.0%100.0%5,746100.0%100.0%-680.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.