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 Hepburn (S), accounting for 87.4% (14,514 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,281 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hepburn (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Hepburn (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hepburn (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
14,514
% of total
87.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
14,514
87.4%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,297
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,297
7.8%
-1.2pp
Italian
2021 count
71
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
71
0.4%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
56
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
56
0.3%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
42
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
42
0.3%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
40
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
40
0.2%
0.0pp
Serbian
2021 count
37
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
37
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
34
0.2%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
32
0.2%
-0.1pp
Croatian
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
31
0.2%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,281
+1.0pp
Not stated
-81
-1.2pp
Italian
+2
-0.1pp
German
-3
-0.1pp
Mandarin
0
0.0pp
French
+4
0.0pp
Serbian
0
0.0pp
Spanish
+9
0.0pp
Greek
-20
-0.1pp
Croatian
-4
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Hepburn (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 | 14,514 | 87.4% | 86.4% | 13,233 | 86.4% | 86.6% | +1,281 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,297 | 7.8% | 6.5% | 1,378 | 9.0% | 7.4% | -81 | -1.2pp |
| Italian | 71 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 69 | 0.5% | 0.7% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| German | 56 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 59 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 42 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 42 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| French | 40 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Serbian | 37 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 37 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 34 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 32 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 52 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -20 | -0.1pp |
| Croatian | 31 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 16,604 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,323 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,281 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.