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 decreased by 3,965 people, while its share rose by 21.3 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.
Chart view
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
+21.3pp
3,002
88.0%
+21.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
129
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
129
3.8%
+0.9pp
German
2021 count
41
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
41
1.2%
+0.6pp
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
-8.8pp
25
0.7%
-8.8pp
Italian
2021 count
17
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
17
0.5%
-0.4pp
Polish
2021 count
14
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
14
0.4%
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
14
0.4%
-0.7pp
French
2021 count
13
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13
0.4%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
12
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
12
0.4%
-3.8pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-3,965
+21.3pp
Not stated
-174
+0.9pp
German
-17
+0.6pp
Greek
-86
-0.3pp
Mandarin
-971
-8.8pp
Italian
-77
-0.4pp
Polish
-17
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
-104
-0.7pp
French
-4
+0.2pp
Cantonese
-430
-3.8pp
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% | 6,967 | 66.7% | 71.1% | -3,965 | +21.3pp |
| Not stated | 129 | 3.8% | 3.3% | 303 | 2.9% | 3.8% | -174 | +0.9pp |
| German | 41 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 58 | 0.6% | 0.7% | -17 | +0.6pp |
| Greek | 26 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 112 | 1.1% | 1.2% | -86 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 25 | 0.7% | 7.3% | 996 | 9.5% | 5.2% | -971 | -8.8pp |
| Italian | 17 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 94 | 0.9% | 1.2% | -77 | -0.4pp |
| Polish | 14 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 31 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -17 | +0.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 14 | 0.4% | 1.7% | 118 | 1.1% | 1.3% | -104 | -0.7pp |
| French | 13 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -4 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 12 | 0.4% | 3.5% | 442 | 4.2% | 3.1% | -430 | -3.8pp |
| Total | 3,410 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,446 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -7,036 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.