Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Mandarin, which increased by 248 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bayswater (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken 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
Mandarin
Not stated
Cantonese
German
Vietnamese
Sinhalese
Hindi
Gujarati
Punjabi
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1
-2.8pp
Mandarin
+248
+1.9pp
Not stated
-133
-1.3pp
Cantonese
+91
+0.6pp
German
-22
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
+3
0.0pp
Sinhalese
+41
+0.3pp
Hindi
+15
+0.1pp
Gujarati
+31
+0.2pp
Punjabi
0
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 7,977 | 67.8% | 71.1% | +1 | -2.8pp |
| Mandarin | 805 | 6.6% | 7.3% | 557 | 4.7% | 5.2% | +248 | +1.9pp |
| Not stated | 498 | 4.1% | 3.3% | 631 | 5.4% | 3.8% | -133 | -1.3pp |
| Cantonese | 495 | 4.0% | 3.5% | 404 | 3.4% | 3.1% | +91 | +0.6pp |
| German | 206 | 1.7% | 0.5% | 228 | 1.9% | 0.7% | -22 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 157 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 154 | 1.3% | 0.8% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Sinhalese | 151 | 1.2% | 1.7% | 110 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +41 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 107 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 92 | 0.8% | 0.9% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 103 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 72 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +31 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 103 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 103 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 12,268 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,772 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +496 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.