Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 increased by 300 people, while its share fell by 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Westmeadows - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken 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
Not stated
Arabic
Italian
Turkish
Greek
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
Urdu
Sinhalese
Maltese
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+300
-2.3pp
Not stated
+28
-0.2pp
Arabic
+69
+0.5pp
Italian
-38
-1.2pp
Turkish
+23
+0.1pp
Greek
-14
-0.4pp
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
+28
+0.3pp
Urdu
+53
+0.8pp
Sinhalese
+2
0.0pp
Maltese
+4
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 3,897 | 66.9% | 49.5% | +300 | -2.3pp |
| Not stated | 377 | 5.8% | 6.0% | 349 | 6.0% | 5.7% | +28 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 359 | 5.5% | 9.3% | 290 | 5.0% | 8.3% | +69 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 262 | 4.0% | 2.0% | 300 | 5.2% | 2.9% | -38 | -1.2pp |
| Turkish | 188 | 2.9% | 6.1% | 165 | 2.8% | 6.8% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 134 | 2.1% | 1.1% | 148 | 2.5% | 1.4% | -14 | -0.4pp |
| Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | 91 | 1.4% | 3.5% | 63 | 1.1% | 2.8% | +28 | +0.3pp |
| Urdu | 64 | 1.0% | 2.2% | 11 | 0.2% | 1.3% | +53 | +0.8pp |
| Sinhalese | 63 | 1.0% | 1.6% | 61 | 1.0% | 1.6% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Maltese | 61 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 57 | 1.0% | 0.5% | +4 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,501 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,821 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +680 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.