Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Hume (C), accounting for 45.2% (110,184 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 12,586 people, while its share fell by 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hume (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Hume (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hume (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
Arabic
Turkish
Not stated
Punjabi
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
Urdu
Italian
Hindi
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+12,586
-4.3pp
Arabic
+6,361
+1.0pp
Turkish
+1,330
-0.7pp
Not stated
+3,470
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+7,599
+2.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+2,934
+0.7pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic
+1,200
-0.2pp
Urdu
+2,785
+0.9pp
Italian
-817
-0.9pp
Hindi
+1,358
+0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Hume (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 110,184 | 45.2% | 61.1% | 97,598 | 49.5% | 62.0% | +12,586 | -4.3pp |
| Arabic | 22,658 | 9.3% | 1.8% | 16,297 | 8.3% | 1.7% | +6,361 | +1.0pp |
| Turkish | 14,814 | 6.1% | 0.7% | 13,484 | 6.8% | 0.7% | +1,330 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 14,697 | 6.0% | 4.8% | 11,227 | 5.7% | 5.6% | +3,470 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 12,653 | 5.2% | 2.0% | 5,054 | 2.6% | 1.2% | +7,599 | +2.6pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 8,448 | 3.5% | 0.2% | 5,514 | 2.8% | 0.2% | +2,934 | +0.7pp |
| Chaldean Neo-Aramaic | 7,617 | 3.1% | 0.2% | 6,417 | 3.3% | 0.2% | +1,200 | -0.2pp |
| Urdu | 5,415 | 2.2% | 0.7% | 2,630 | 1.3% | 0.5% | +2,785 | +0.9pp |
| Italian | 4,880 | 2.0% | 1.7% | 5,697 | 2.9% | 2.3% | -817 | -0.9pp |
| Hindi | 4,049 | 1.7% | 1.3% | 2,691 | 1.4% | 1.1% | +1,358 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 243,854 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 197,363 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +46,491 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.