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 Wantirna South, accounting for 53.5% (11,085 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 10,845 people, while its share fell by 40.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wantirna South - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wantirna South 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 Wantirna South, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
2021 count
11,085
% of total
53.5%
Change from 2016
-40.3pp
11,085
53.5%
-40.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
3,071
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-
3,071
14.8%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
1,542
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-
1,542
7.4%
-
Not stated
2021 count
573
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
573
2.8%
-0.7pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
481
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
481
2.3%
-
Tamil
2021 count
366
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
366
1.8%
-
Greek
2021 count
303
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
303
1.5%
-
Hindi
2021 count
302
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
302
1.5%
-
Indonesian
2021 count
203
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
203
1.0%
-
Italian
2021 count
186
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
186
0.9%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+10,845
-40.3pp
Not stated
+564
-0.7pp
Italian
+182
-0.7pp
German
+47
-1.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wantirna South. 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 | 11,085 | 53.5% | 68.0% | 240 | 93.8% | 71.1% | +10,845 | -40.3pp |
| Mandarin | 3,071 | 14.8% | 7.3% | - | - | 5.2% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 1,542 | 7.4% | 3.5% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Not stated | 573 | 2.8% | 3.3% | 9 | 3.5% | 3.8% | +564 | -0.7pp |
| Sinhalese | 481 | 2.3% | 1.7% | - | - | 1.3% | - | - |
| Tamil | 366 | 1.8% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Greek | 303 | 1.5% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.2% | - | - |
| Hindi | 302 | 1.5% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| Indonesian | 203 | 1.0% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Italian | 186 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 4 | 1.6% | 1.2% | +182 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 20,738 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 256 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +20,482 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.