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 Westmeadows, accounting for 64.6% (4,197 people). This share was higher than Hume (C) (45.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 759 people and 23.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Westmeadows - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Westmeadows 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 Westmeadows, with comparison markers for Hume (C).
English
2021 count
4,197
% of total
64.6%
Change from 2016
-23.7pp
4,197
64.6%
-23.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
377
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
377
5.8%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
359
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+5.2pp
359
5.5%
+5.2pp
Italian
2021 count
262
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
262
4.0%
+2.4pp
Turkish
2021 count
188
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
188
2.9%
+2.8pp
Greek
2021 count
134
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
134
2.1%
+1.6pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
2021 count
91
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
91
1.4%
-
Urdu
2021 count
64
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
64
1.0%
-
Sinhalese
2021 count
63
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
63
1.0%
-
Maltese
2021 count
61
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
61
0.9%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-759
-23.7pp
Not stated
+47
-0.1pp
Arabic
+342
+5.2pp
Italian
+175
+2.4pp
Turkish
+181
+2.8pp
Greek
+105
+1.6pp
Maltese
+40
+0.5pp
Spanish
+52
+0.8pp
Mandarin
+43
+0.6pp
Vietnamese
+51
+0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Westmeadows. 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 | 4,197 | 64.6% | 45.2% | 4,956 | 88.3% | 49.5% | -759 | -23.7pp |
| Not stated | 377 | 5.8% | 6.0% | 330 | 5.9% | 5.7% | +47 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 359 | 5.5% | 9.3% | 17 | 0.3% | 8.3% | +342 | +5.2pp |
| Italian | 262 | 4.0% | 2.0% | 87 | 1.6% | 2.9% | +175 | +2.4pp |
| Turkish | 188 | 2.9% | 6.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 6.8% | +181 | +2.8pp |
| Greek | 134 | 2.1% | 1.1% | 29 | 0.5% | 1.4% | +105 | +1.6pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 91 | 1.4% | 3.5% | - | - | 2.8% | - | - |
| Urdu | 64 | 1.0% | 2.2% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Sinhalese | 63 | 1.0% | 1.6% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Maltese | 61 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 21 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +40 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 6,501 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,611 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +890 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.