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 Sunbury, accounting for 86.7% (33,649 people). This share was higher than Hume (C) (45.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 33,529 people, while its share fell by 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sunbury - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sunbury 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 Sunbury, with comparison markers for Hume (C).
English
2021 count
33,649
% of total
86.7%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
33,649
86.7%
-4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,489
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
1,489
3.8%
-4.6pp
Italian
2021 count
353
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
353
0.9%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
318
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
318
0.8%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
195
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
195
0.5%
-
Hindi
2021 count
178
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
178
0.5%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
160
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
160
0.4%
-
Greek
2021 count
153
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
153
0.4%
-
Arabic
2021 count
153
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
153
0.4%
-
Maltese
2021 count
145
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
145
0.4%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+33,529
-4.9pp
Not stated
+1,478
-4.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sunbury. 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 | 33,649 | 86.7% | 45.2% | 120 | 91.6% | 49.5% | +33,529 | -4.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,489 | 3.8% | 6.0% | 11 | 8.4% | 5.7% | +1,478 | -4.6pp |
| Italian | 353 | 0.9% | 2.0% | - | - | 2.9% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 318 | 0.8% | 5.2% | - | - | 2.6% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 195 | 0.5% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Hindi | 178 | 0.5% | 1.7% | - | - | 1.4% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 160 | 0.4% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Greek | 153 | 0.4% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.4% | - | - |
| Arabic | 153 | 0.4% | 9.3% | - | - | 8.3% | - | - |
| Maltese | 145 | 0.4% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Total | 38,822 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 131 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +38,691 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.