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 Attwood, accounting for 69.4% (2,300 people). This share was higher than Hume (C) (45.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Italian, which decreased by 37 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Attwood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Attwood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hume (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Attwood, with comparison markers for Hume (C).
English
2021 count
2,300
% of total
69.4%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
2,300
69.4%
+2.1pp
Italian
2021 count
185
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
185
5.6%
-0.9pp
Turkish
2021 count
119
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
119
3.6%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
100
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
100
3.0%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
98
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
98
3.0%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
90
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
90
2.7%
-0.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
52
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
52
1.6%
-0.2pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
44
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
44
1.3%
-0.2pp
Serbian
2021 count
24
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
24
0.7%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
22
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
22
0.7%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-6
+2.1pp
Italian
-37
-0.9pp
Turkish
+11
+0.4pp
Greek
+4
+0.2pp
Arabic
-1
+0.1pp
Not stated
-22
-0.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
-9
-0.2pp
Sinhalese
-7
-0.2pp
Serbian
-9
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+12
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Attwood. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hume (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Hume (C)% | Count | % | Hume (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,300 | 69.4% | 45.2% | 2,306 | 67.3% | 49.5% | -6 | +2.1pp |
| Italian | 185 | 5.6% | 2.0% | 222 | 6.5% | 2.9% | -37 | -0.9pp |
| Turkish | 119 | 3.6% | 6.1% | 108 | 3.2% | 6.8% | +11 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 100 | 3.0% | 1.1% | 96 | 2.8% | 1.4% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 98 | 3.0% | 9.3% | 99 | 2.9% | 8.3% | -1 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 90 | 2.7% | 6.0% | 112 | 3.3% | 5.7% | -22 | -0.6pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 52 | 1.6% | 3.5% | 61 | 1.8% | 2.8% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 44 | 1.3% | 1.6% | 51 | 1.5% | 1.6% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Serbian | 24 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 33 | 1.0% | 0.3% | -9 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 22 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +12 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 3,316 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,426 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -110 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.