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 Indigo (S), accounting for 91.8% (15,902 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,432 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Indigo (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Indigo (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Indigo (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
15,902
% of total
91.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
15,902
91.8%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,058
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,058
6.1%
-0.9pp
Italian
2021 count
56
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
56
0.3%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
44
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
44
0.3%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
21
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
21
0.1%
-0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
19
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
19
0.1%
-0.1pp
Auslan
2021 count
18
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.1%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
17
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.1%
0.0pp
Swedish
2021 count
16
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.1%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
16
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,432
+1.0pp
Not stated
-61
-0.9pp
Italian
+18
+0.1pp
German
-9
0.0pp
French
-6
-0.1pp
Dutch
-7
-0.1pp
Auslan
+15
+0.1pp
Thai
+4
0.0pp
Swedish
-4
0.0pp
Spanish
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Indigo (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 15,902 | 91.8% | 86.4% | 14,470 | 90.8% | 86.6% | +1,432 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,058 | 6.1% | 6.5% | 1,119 | 7.0% | 7.4% | -61 | -0.9pp |
| Italian | 56 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 38 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| German | 44 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 53 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -9 | 0.0pp |
| French | 21 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Dutch | 19 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Auslan | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Swedish | 16 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 20 | 0.1% | 0.0% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 16 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 17,325 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,929 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,396 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.