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 Boronia, accounting for 74.8% (17,641 people). This share was higher than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 17,564 people, while its share fell by 21.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Boronia - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Boronia 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 Boronia, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
2021 count
17,641
% of total
74.8%
Change from 2016
-21.5pp
17,641
74.8%
-21.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,043
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-
1,043
4.4%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
996
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-
996
4.2%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
511
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-
511
2.2%
-
Sinhalese
2021 count
322
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
322
1.4%
-
Gujarati
2021 count
186
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
186
0.8%
-
Hindi
2021 count
180
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
180
0.8%
-
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
172
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
172
0.7%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
139
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
139
0.6%
-
Greek
2021 count
136
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
136
0.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+17,564
-21.5pp
Indonesian
+53
-3.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Boronia. 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 | 17,641 | 74.8% | 68.0% | 77 | 96.3% | 71.1% | +17,564 | -21.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,043 | 4.4% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.8% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 996 | 4.2% | 7.3% | - | - | 5.2% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 511 | 2.2% | 3.5% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Sinhalese | 322 | 1.4% | 1.7% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Gujarati | 186 | 0.8% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Hindi | 180 | 0.8% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 172 | 0.7% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 139 | 0.6% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Greek | 136 | 0.6% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Total | 23,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 80 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +23,508 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.