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 Shepparton (C), accounting for 74.7% (51,093 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,058 people, while its share fell by 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Greater Shepparton (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Greater Shepparton (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 Shepparton (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
51,093
% of total
74.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
51,093
74.7%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,251
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
5,251
7.7%
-0.8pp
Punjabi
2021 count
1,549
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,549
2.3%
+0.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,412
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,412
2.1%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
1,087
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,087
1.6%
-0.5pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
822
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
822
1.2%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
617
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
617
0.9%
+0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
489
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
489
0.7%
+0.3pp
Albanian
2021 count
487
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
487
0.7%
0.0pp
Turkish
2021 count
483
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
483
0.7%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,058
-2.1pp
Not stated
-156
-0.8pp
Punjabi
+661
+0.9pp
Arabic
+175
+0.2pp
Italian
-237
-0.5pp
Hazaraghi
+304
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+180
+0.2pp
Malayalam
+216
+0.3pp
Albanian
+40
0.0pp
Turkish
-6
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Greater Shepparton (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 | 51,093 | 74.7% | 86.4% | 49,035 | 76.8% | 86.6% | +2,058 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 5,251 | 7.7% | 6.5% | 5,407 | 8.5% | 7.4% | -156 | -0.8pp |
| Punjabi | 1,549 | 2.3% | 0.5% | 888 | 1.4% | 0.2% | +661 | +0.9pp |
| Arabic | 1,412 | 2.1% | 0.2% | 1,237 | 1.9% | 0.2% | +175 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 1,087 | 1.6% | 0.5% | 1,324 | 2.1% | 0.7% | -237 | -0.5pp |
| Hazaraghi | 822 | 1.2% | 0.1% | 518 | 0.8% | 0.1% | +304 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 617 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 437 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +180 | +0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 489 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 273 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +216 | +0.3pp |
| Albanian | 487 | 0.7% | 0.0% | 447 | 0.7% | 0.0% | +40 | 0.0pp |
| Turkish | 483 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 489 | 0.8% | 0.1% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 68,394 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 63,818 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,576 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.