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 Knoxfield, accounting for 64.2% (4,910 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 261 people and 5.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Knoxfield - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Knoxfield 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 Knoxfield, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
2021 count
4,910
% of total
64.2%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
4,910
64.2%
-5.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
740
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
740
9.7%
+2.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
320
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
320
4.2%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
222
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
222
2.9%
-0.7pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
129
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
129
1.7%
-0.2pp
Tamil
2021 count
88
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
88
1.2%
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
80
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
80
1.0%
+0.5pp
Greek
2021 count
79
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
79
1.0%
-0.2pp
Korean
2021 count
79
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
79
1.0%
+0.4pp
Gujarati
2021 count
75
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
75
1.0%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-261
-5.2pp
Mandarin
+207
+2.5pp
Cantonese
+46
+0.5pp
Not stated
-45
-0.7pp
Sinhalese
-14
-0.2pp
Tamil
+20
+0.3pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+42
+0.5pp
Greek
-7
-0.2pp
Korean
+34
+0.4pp
Gujarati
+34
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Knoxfield. 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 | 4,910 | 64.2% | 68.0% | 5,171 | 69.4% | 71.1% | -261 | -5.2pp |
| Mandarin | 740 | 9.7% | 7.3% | 533 | 7.2% | 5.2% | +207 | +2.5pp |
| Cantonese | 320 | 4.2% | 3.5% | 274 | 3.7% | 3.1% | +46 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 222 | 2.9% | 3.3% | 267 | 3.6% | 3.8% | -45 | -0.7pp |
| Sinhalese | 129 | 1.7% | 1.7% | 143 | 1.9% | 1.3% | -14 | -0.2pp |
| Tamil | 88 | 1.2% | 0.9% | 68 | 0.9% | 0.7% | +20 | +0.3pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 80 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 38 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +42 | +0.5pp |
| Greek | 79 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 86 | 1.2% | 1.2% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Korean | 79 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 45 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +34 | +0.4pp |
| Gujarati | 75 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 41 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +34 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 7,651 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,450 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +201 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.