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 Ferntree Gully, accounting for 78% (21,362 people). This share was higher than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 343 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ferntree Gully - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Ferntree Gully in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Knox (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ferntree Gully, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
Mandarin
Not stated
Cantonese
Sinhalese
Italian
Persian (excluding Dari)
Gujarati
Greek
Hindi
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+111
-2.5pp
Mandarin
+343
+1.1pp
Not stated
-69
-0.4pp
Cantonese
+112
+0.3pp
Sinhalese
+112
+0.4pp
Italian
-68
-0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+89
+0.3pp
Gujarati
+54
+0.2pp
Greek
-13
0.0pp
Hindi
+59
+0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Ferntree Gully. 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 | 21,362 | 78.0% | 68.0% | 21,251 | 80.5% | 71.1% | +111 | -2.5pp |
| Mandarin | 1,021 | 3.7% | 7.3% | 678 | 2.6% | 5.2% | +343 | +1.1pp |
| Not stated | 910 | 3.3% | 3.3% | 979 | 3.7% | 3.8% | -69 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 417 | 1.5% | 3.5% | 305 | 1.2% | 3.1% | +112 | +0.3pp |
| Sinhalese | 336 | 1.2% | 1.7% | 224 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +112 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 212 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 280 | 1.1% | 1.2% | -68 | -0.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 185 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 96 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +89 | +0.3pp |
| Gujarati | 185 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 131 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +54 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 180 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 193 | 0.7% | 1.2% | -13 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 157 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 98 | 0.4% | 0.9% | +59 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 27,372 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26,404 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +968 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.