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 Boronia, accounting for 74.8% (17,641 people). This share was higher than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 430 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Boronia - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Boronia in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Boronia, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Cantonese
Sinhalese
Gujarati
Hindi
Persian (excluding Dari)
Vietnamese
Greek
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+225
-3.7pp
Not stated
-50
-0.5pp
Mandarin
+430
+1.6pp
Cantonese
+131
+0.5pp
Sinhalese
+134
+0.6pp
Gujarati
+47
+0.2pp
Hindi
+28
+0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+79
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
+58
+0.2pp
Greek
+17
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 17,416 | 78.5% | 71.1% | +225 | -3.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,043 | 4.4% | 3.3% | 1,093 | 4.9% | 3.8% | -50 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 996 | 4.2% | 7.3% | 566 | 2.6% | 5.2% | +430 | +1.6pp |
| Cantonese | 511 | 2.2% | 3.5% | 380 | 1.7% | 3.1% | +131 | +0.5pp |
| Sinhalese | 322 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 188 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +134 | +0.6pp |
| Gujarati | 186 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 139 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +47 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 180 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 152 | 0.7% | 0.9% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 172 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 93 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +79 | +0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 139 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 81 | 0.4% | 0.8% | +58 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 136 | 0.6% | 1.1% | 119 | 0.5% | 1.2% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 23,588 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,183 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,405 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.