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 Seaford (Vic.), accounting for 84.7% (14,571 people). This share was higher than Frankston (C) (83.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 989 people and 2.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Seaford (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Seaford (Vic.)
Frankston (C)

English

2021 count

14,571

% of total

84.7%

Change from 2016

+2.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

998

% of total

5.8%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Greek

2021 count

158

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Russian

2021 count

126

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Mandarin

2021 count

121

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Spanish

2021 count

102

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Italian

2021 count

95

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

German

2021 count

76

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Thai

2021 count

66

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

French

2021 count

54

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Seaford (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Frankston (C).
Language used at home for Seaford (Vic.). 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
English14,57184.7%83.6%13,58282.6%82.5%+989+2.1pp
Not stated9985.8%5.1%1,2457.6%6.2%-247-1.8pp
Greek1580.9%0.9%1641.0%0.9%-6-0.1pp
Russian1260.7%0.5%1240.8%0.4%+2-0.1pp
Mandarin1210.7%1.0%1080.7%0.8%+130.0pp
Spanish1020.6%0.5%990.6%0.5%+30.0pp
Italian950.6%0.5%980.6%0.6%-30.0pp
German760.4%0.3%960.6%0.4%-20-0.2pp
Thai660.4%0.3%540.3%0.2%+12+0.1pp
French540.3%0.3%540.3%0.3%00.0pp
Total17,198100.0%100.0%16,435100.0%100.0%+7630.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.