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 Mickleham, accounting for 37.5% (6,550 people). This share was lower than Hume (C) (45.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,772 people, while its share fell by 19.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Mickleham - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Mickleham
Hume (C)

English

2021 count

6,550

% of total

37.5%

Change from 2016

-19.7pp

Punjabi

2021 count

2,974

% of total

17.0%

Change from 2016

+11.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

1,079

% of total

6.2%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

Arabic

2021 count

989

% of total

5.7%

Change from 2016

+2.8pp

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

2021 count

607

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

+2.0pp

Hindi

2021 count

589

% of total

3.4%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Urdu

2021 count

554

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+2.9pp

Chaldean Neo-Aramaic

2021 count

552

% of total

3.2%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Turkish

2021 count

524

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Samoan

2021 count

319

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Mickleham. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hume (C).
Language used at home for Mickleham. 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
English6,55037.5%45.2%1,77857.2%49.5%+4,772-19.7pp
Punjabi2,97417.0%5.2%1685.4%2.6%+2,806+11.6pp
Not stated1,0796.2%6.0%1524.9%5.7%+927+1.3pp
Arabic9895.7%9.3%912.9%8.3%+898+2.8pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic6073.5%3.5%471.5%2.8%+560+2.0pp
Hindi5893.4%1.7%782.5%1.4%+511+0.9pp
Urdu5543.2%2.2%100.3%1.3%+544+2.9pp
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic5523.2%3.1%531.7%3.3%+499+1.5pp
Turkish5243.0%6.1%862.8%6.8%+438+0.2pp
Samoan3191.8%0.9%431.4%1.0%+276+0.4pp
Total17,451100.0%100.0%3,108100.0%100.0%+14,3430.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.