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 Bayswater (Vic.), accounting for 65% (7,978 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,152 people, while its share fell by 12.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bayswater (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bayswater (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bayswater (Vic.), with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
2021 count
7,978
% of total
65.0%
Change from 2016
-12.7pp
7,978
65.0%
-12.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
805
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
805
6.6%
+4.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
498
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
498
4.1%
-1.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
495
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
495
4.0%
+2.5pp
German
2021 count
206
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
206
1.7%
+1.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
157
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
157
1.3%
+0.5pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
151
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
151
1.2%
+0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
107
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
107
0.9%
+0.1pp
Gujarati
2021 count
103
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
103
0.8%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
103
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
103
0.8%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,152
-12.7pp
Mandarin
+636
+4.7pp
Not stated
-28
-1.9pp
Cantonese
+361
+2.5pp
German
+162
+1.2pp
Vietnamese
+86
+0.5pp
Sinhalese
+85
+0.4pp
Hindi
+41
+0.1pp
Gujarati
+62
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+20
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bayswater (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Knox (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Knox (C)% | Count | % | Knox (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 7,978 | 65.0% | 68.0% | 6,826 | 77.7% | 71.1% | +1,152 | -12.7pp |
| Mandarin | 805 | 6.6% | 7.3% | 169 | 1.9% | 5.2% | +636 | +4.7pp |
| Not stated | 498 | 4.1% | 3.3% | 526 | 6.0% | 3.8% | -28 | -1.9pp |
| Cantonese | 495 | 4.0% | 3.5% | 134 | 1.5% | 3.1% | +361 | +2.5pp |
| German | 206 | 1.7% | 0.5% | 44 | 0.5% | 0.7% | +162 | +1.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 157 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 71 | 0.8% | 0.8% | +86 | +0.5pp |
| Sinhalese | 151 | 1.2% | 1.7% | 66 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +85 | +0.4pp |
| Hindi | 107 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 66 | 0.8% | 0.9% | +41 | +0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 103 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 41 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +62 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 103 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 83 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +20 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 12,268 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,785 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,483 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.