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 Greater Bendigo (C), accounting for 87.8% (106,692 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 8,832 people, while its share fell by 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Greater Bendigo (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Greater Bendigo (C) 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 Greater Bendigo (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
106,692
% of total
87.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
106,692
87.8%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
6,911
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
6,911
5.7%
-1.1pp
Karen
2021 count
1,597
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,597
1.3%
+0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
570
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
570
0.5%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
495
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
495
0.4%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
464
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
464
0.4%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
240
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
240
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
221
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
221
0.2%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
214
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
214
0.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
211
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
211
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+8,832
-0.8pp
Not stated
-605
-1.1pp
Karen
+727
+0.5pp
Mandarin
+88
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+298
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+261
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+91
+0.1pp
Filipino
+85
+0.1pp
Hindi
+30
0.0pp
Arabic
+53
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Greater Bendigo (C). 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 | 106,692 | 87.8% | 86.4% | 97,860 | 88.6% | 86.6% | +8,832 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 6,911 | 5.7% | 6.5% | 7,516 | 6.8% | 7.4% | -605 | -1.1pp |
| Karen | 1,597 | 1.3% | 0.2% | 870 | 0.8% | 0.1% | +727 | +0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 570 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 482 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +88 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 495 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 197 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +298 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 464 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 203 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +261 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 240 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 149 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +91 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 221 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 136 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +85 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 214 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 184 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +30 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 211 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 158 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +53 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 121,464 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 110,477 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,987 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.