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 Scoresby, accounting for 58.9% (3,577 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 309 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Scoresby - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Scoresby 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 Scoresby, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
Mandarin
Cantonese
Sinhalese
Not stated
Tamil
Vietnamese
Greek
Persian (excluding Dari)
Hindi
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-309
-5.8pp
Mandarin
+139
+2.2pp
Cantonese
+34
+0.5pp
Sinhalese
+17
+0.2pp
Not stated
-41
-0.7pp
Tamil
+26
+0.4pp
Vietnamese
+15
+0.2pp
Greek
+11
+0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+27
+0.4pp
Hindi
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Scoresby. 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 | 3,577 | 58.9% | 68.0% | 3,886 | 64.7% | 71.1% | -309 | -5.8pp |
| Mandarin | 554 | 9.1% | 7.3% | 415 | 6.9% | 5.2% | +139 | +2.2pp |
| Cantonese | 266 | 4.4% | 3.5% | 232 | 3.9% | 3.1% | +34 | +0.5pp |
| Sinhalese | 226 | 3.7% | 1.7% | 209 | 3.5% | 1.3% | +17 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 194 | 3.2% | 3.3% | 235 | 3.9% | 3.8% | -41 | -0.7pp |
| Tamil | 98 | 1.6% | 0.9% | 72 | 1.2% | 0.7% | +26 | +0.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 80 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 65 | 1.1% | 0.8% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 79 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 68 | 1.1% | 1.2% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 79 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 52 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +27 | +0.4pp |
| Hindi | 76 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 79 | 1.3% | 0.9% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,069 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,010 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +59 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.