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 Rowville, accounting for 66% (22,123 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 651 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Rowville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Rowville 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 Rowville, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
2021 count
22,123
% of total
66.0%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
22,123
66.0%
-1.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,247
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
2,247
6.7%
+1.6pp
Cantonese
2021 count
994
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
994
3.0%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
832
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
832
2.5%
-0.3pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
751
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
751
2.2%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
550
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
550
1.6%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
514
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
514
1.5%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
499
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
499
1.5%
-0.4pp
Tamil
2021 count
435
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
435
1.3%
+0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
360
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
360
1.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-651
-1.6pp
Mandarin
+534
+1.6pp
Cantonese
+52
+0.2pp
Not stated
-103
-0.3pp
Sinhalese
+139
+0.4pp
Greek
-69
-0.2pp
Arabic
-32
-0.1pp
Italian
-132
-0.4pp
Tamil
+90
+0.3pp
Hindi
-7
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Rowville. 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 | 22,123 | 66.0% | 68.0% | 22,774 | 67.6% | 71.1% | -651 | -1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 2,247 | 6.7% | 7.3% | 1,713 | 5.1% | 5.2% | +534 | +1.6pp |
| Cantonese | 994 | 3.0% | 3.5% | 942 | 2.8% | 3.1% | +52 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 832 | 2.5% | 3.3% | 935 | 2.8% | 3.8% | -103 | -0.3pp |
| Sinhalese | 751 | 2.2% | 1.7% | 612 | 1.8% | 1.3% | +139 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 550 | 1.6% | 1.1% | 619 | 1.8% | 1.2% | -69 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 514 | 1.5% | 0.7% | 546 | 1.6% | 0.7% | -32 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 499 | 1.5% | 0.9% | 631 | 1.9% | 1.2% | -132 | -0.4pp |
| Tamil | 435 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 345 | 1.0% | 0.7% | +90 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 360 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 367 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 33,538 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,672 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -134 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.