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 The Basin (Vic.), accounting for 88.1% (3,955 people). This share was higher than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 7,905 people, while its share rose by 24.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
The Basin (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for The Basin (Vic.) 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 The Basin (Vic.), with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
2021 count
3,955
% of total
88.1%
Change from 2016
+24.1pp
3,955
88.1%
+24.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
168
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
168
3.7%
-2.5pp
German
2021 count
79
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
79
1.8%
+1.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
50
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
50
1.1%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
23
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
23
0.5%
-5.2pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
21
0.5%
+0.4pp
Dutch
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13
0.3%
+0.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.3%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
11
0.2%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
10
0.2%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-7,905
+24.1pp
Not stated
-977
-2.5pp
German
+10
+1.4pp
Mandarin
-157
0.0pp
Italian
-1,042
-5.2pp
Sinhalese
-6
+0.4pp
Dutch
-5
+0.2pp
Japanese
-32
+0.1pp
French
-78
-0.3pp
Spanish
-153
-0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for The Basin (Vic.). 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 | 3,955 | 88.1% | 68.0% | 11,860 | 64.0% | 71.1% | -7,905 | +24.1pp |
| Not stated | 168 | 3.7% | 3.3% | 1,145 | 6.2% | 3.8% | -977 | -2.5pp |
| German | 79 | 1.8% | 0.5% | 69 | 0.4% | 0.7% | +10 | +1.4pp |
| Mandarin | 50 | 1.1% | 7.3% | 207 | 1.1% | 5.2% | -157 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 23 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 1,065 | 5.7% | 1.2% | -1,042 | -5.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 21 | 0.5% | 1.7% | 27 | 0.1% | 1.3% | -6 | +0.4pp |
| Dutch | 13 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.2% | -5 | +0.2pp |
| Japanese | 13 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 45 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -32 | +0.1pp |
| French | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 89 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -78 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 10 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 163 | 0.9% | 0.5% | -153 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 4,489 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,544 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -14,055 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.