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 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 spoken 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
Not stated
German
Greek
Mandarin
Italian
Polish
Sinhalese
French
Cantonese
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 spoken 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.