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, accounting for 80.8% (30,160 people). This share was lower than Frankston (C) (83.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,168 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Frankston - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Frankston 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, with comparison markers for Frankston (C).
English
2021 count
30,160
% of total
80.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
30,160
80.8%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,659
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,659
7.1%
-0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
516
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
516
1.4%
+0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
363
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
363
1.0%
0.0pp
Russian
2021 count
237
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
237
0.6%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
207
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
207
0.6%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
201
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
201
0.5%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
191
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
191
0.5%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
185
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
185
0.5%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
137
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
137
0.4%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,168
+0.4pp
Not stated
-73
-0.5pp
Mandarin
+75
+0.2pp
Greek
+7
0.0pp
Russian
+61
+0.1pp
Spanish
+41
+0.1pp
Malayalam
-60
-0.2pp
Cantonese
+23
0.0pp
Italian
-16
-0.1pp
Arabic
+8
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Frankston. 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 | 30,160 | 80.8% | 83.6% | 28,992 | 80.4% | 82.5% | +1,168 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 2,659 | 7.1% | 5.1% | 2,732 | 7.6% | 6.2% | -73 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 516 | 1.4% | 1.0% | 441 | 1.2% | 0.8% | +75 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 363 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 356 | 1.0% | 0.9% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Russian | 237 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 176 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +61 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 207 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 166 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +41 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 201 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 261 | 0.7% | 0.5% | -60 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 191 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 168 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +23 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 185 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 201 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -16 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 137 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 129 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 37,317 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36,053 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,264 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.