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 Greenvale (Vic.), accounting for 50.4% (10,716 people). This share was higher than Hume (C) (45.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,546 people, while its share fell by 2.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Greenvale (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Greenvale (Vic.) 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 Greenvale (Vic.), with comparison markers for Hume (C).

Greenvale (Vic.)
Hume (C)

English

2021 count

10,716

% of total

50.4%

Change from 2016

-2.5pp

Turkish

2021 count

1,880

% of total

8.8%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Arabic

2021 count

1,753

% of total

8.2%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Italian

2021 count

1,223

% of total

5.8%

Change from 2016

-3.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

818

% of total

3.8%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Chaldean Neo-Aramaic

2021 count

529

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Sinhalese

2021 count

468

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

2021 count

454

% of total

2.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Greek

2021 count

383

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Urdu

2021 count

304

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Data table

Language used at home for Greenvale (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hume (C).

Language used at home for Greenvale (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hume (C).
Language used at home for Greenvale (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hume (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Hume (C)%Count%Hume (C)%Countpp
English10,71650.4%45.2%8,17052.9%49.5%+2,546-2.5pp
Turkish1,8808.8%6.1%1,0917.1%6.8%+789+1.7pp
Arabic1,7538.2%9.3%1,0416.7%8.3%+712+1.5pp
Italian1,2235.8%2.0%1,3849.0%2.9%-161-3.2pp
Not stated8183.8%6.0%5323.4%5.7%+286+0.4pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic5292.5%3.1%3562.3%3.3%+173+0.2pp
Sinhalese4682.2%1.6%2581.7%1.6%+210+0.5pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic4542.1%3.5%3372.2%2.8%+117-0.1pp
Greek3831.8%1.1%3612.3%1.4%+22-0.5pp
Urdu3041.4%2.2%760.5%1.3%+228+0.9pp
Total21,254100.0%100.0%15,439100.0%100.0%+5,8150.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.