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 Glenelg (S), accounting for 90.2% (18,185 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 636 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Glenelg (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Glenelg (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 Glenelg (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
18,185
% of total
90.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
18,185
90.2%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,384
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,384
6.9%
-1.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
43
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
43
0.2%
-
Filipino
2021 count
37
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
37
0.2%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.2%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
29
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
29
0.1%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
27
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
27
0.1%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
26
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.1%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
25
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
25
0.1%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
22
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+636
+0.3pp
Not stated
-180
-1.1pp
Filipino
+24
+0.1pp
Thai
+13
+0.1pp
Greek
+14
0.0pp
Tagalog
-9
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+9
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+9
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+7
0.0pp
Spanish
+8
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Glenelg (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 | 18,185 | 90.2% | 86.4% | 17,549 | 89.9% | 86.6% | +636 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,384 | 6.9% | 6.5% | 1,564 | 8.0% | 7.4% | -180 | -1.1pp |
| Nepali | 43 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Filipino | 37 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 31 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 29 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 27 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 26 | 0.1% | 0.6% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 25 | 0.1% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 22 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 20,167 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,528 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +639 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.