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 Upper Ferntree Gully (part), accounting for 88% (3,002 people). This share was higher than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 25 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Upper Ferntree Gully (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Upper Ferntree Gully (part) 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 Upper Ferntree Gully (part), with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
2021 count
3,002
% of total
88.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
3,002
88.0%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
129
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
129
3.8%
-0.8pp
German
2021 count
41
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
41
1.2%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
26
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
26
0.8%
+0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
25
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
25
0.7%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
17
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
17
0.5%
-0.1pp
Polish
2021 count
14
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.4%
0.0pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
14
0.4%
+0.3pp
French
2021 count
13
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
13
0.4%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
12
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
12
0.4%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+25
+0.6pp
Not stated
-28
-0.8pp
German
+3
+0.1pp
Greek
+10
+0.3pp
Mandarin
+7
+0.2pp
Italian
-2
-0.1pp
Polish
+1
0.0pp
Sinhalese
+9
+0.3pp
French
-4
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+8
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Upper Ferntree Gully (part). 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 | 3,002 | 88.0% | 68.0% | 2,977 | 87.4% | 71.1% | +25 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 129 | 3.8% | 3.3% | 157 | 4.6% | 3.8% | -28 | -0.8pp |
| German | 41 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 38 | 1.1% | 0.7% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 26 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 16 | 0.5% | 1.2% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 25 | 0.7% | 7.3% | 18 | 0.5% | 5.2% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 17 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 19 | 0.6% | 1.2% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Polish | 14 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 13 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Sinhalese | 14 | 0.4% | 1.7% | 5 | 0.1% | 1.3% | +9 | +0.3pp |
| French | 13 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 12 | 0.4% | 3.5% | 4 | 0.1% | 3.1% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 3,410 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,406 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.