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 Horsham (RC), accounting for 90% (18,370 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 548 people, while its share fell by 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Horsham (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Horsham (RC) 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 Horsham (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
18,370
% of total
90.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
18,370
90.0%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,102
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,102
5.4%
-0.1pp
Karen
2021 count
118
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
118
0.6%
+0.4pp
Malayalam
2021 count
80
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
80
0.4%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
61
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
61
0.3%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
55
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
55
0.3%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
47
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
47
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
46
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
46
0.2%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
45
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
45
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
36
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
36
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+548
-0.8pp
Not stated
+27
-0.1pp
Karen
+72
+0.4pp
Malayalam
+3
0.0pp
Italian
-23
-0.1pp
Mandarin
0
0.0pp
Nepali
+36
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+10
0.0pp
Punjabi
+31
+0.1pp
Filipino
+4
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Horsham (RC). 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 | 18,370 | 90.0% | 86.4% | 17,822 | 90.8% | 86.6% | +548 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,102 | 5.4% | 6.5% | 1,075 | 5.5% | 7.4% | +27 | -0.1pp |
| Karen | 118 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 46 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +72 | +0.4pp |
| Malayalam | 80 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 77 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 61 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 84 | 0.4% | 0.7% | -23 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 55 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 55 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 47 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +36 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 46 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 45 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 14 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +31 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 36 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 20,415 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,638 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +777 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.