Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Craigieburn, accounting for 35.1% (22,878 people). This share was lower than Hume (C) (45.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 3,190 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Craigieburn - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Craigieburn 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 Craigieburn, with comparison markers for Hume (C).
English
Punjabi
Arabic
Not stated
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
Turkish
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
Hindi
Sinhalese
Urdu
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+635
-9.1pp
Punjabi
+3,190
+3.1pp
Arabic
+2,876
+3.4pp
Not stated
+1,334
+1.0pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+1,651
+1.8pp
Turkish
+442
-0.4pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+1,088
+1.0pp
Hindi
+560
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
+289
-0.4pp
Urdu
+857
+0.9pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Craigieburn. 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 | 22,878 | 35.1% | 45.2% | 22,243 | 44.2% | 49.5% | +635 | -9.1pp |
| Punjabi | 7,127 | 10.9% | 5.2% | 3,937 | 7.8% | 2.6% | +3,190 | +3.1pp |
| Arabic | 5,192 | 8.0% | 9.3% | 2,316 | 4.6% | 8.3% | +2,876 | +3.4pp |
| Not stated | 3,753 | 5.8% | 6.0% | 2,419 | 4.8% | 5.7% | +1,334 | +1.0pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 3,159 | 4.8% | 3.5% | 1,508 | 3.0% | 2.8% | +1,651 | +1.8pp |
| Turkish | 2,763 | 4.2% | 6.1% | 2,321 | 4.6% | 6.8% | +442 | -0.4pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 2,614 | 4.0% | 3.1% | 1,526 | 3.0% | 3.3% | +1,088 | +1.0pp |
| Hindi | 2,244 | 3.4% | 1.7% | 1,684 | 3.3% | 1.4% | +560 | +0.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 1,980 | 3.0% | 1.6% | 1,691 | 3.4% | 1.6% | +289 | -0.4pp |
| Urdu | 1,762 | 2.7% | 2.2% | 905 | 1.8% | 1.3% | +857 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 65,151 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 50,318 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +14,833 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.