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, accounting for 57.3% (8,126 people). This share was lower than Knox (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 5,911 people and 32 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wantirna - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wantirna 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, with comparison markers for Knox (C).
English
2021 count
8,126
% of total
57.3%
Change from 2016
-32.0pp
8,126
57.3%
-32.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,815
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+12.2pp
1,815
12.8%
+12.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
890
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+6.2pp
890
6.3%
+6.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
519
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
519
3.7%
-2.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
204
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
204
1.4%
+1.3pp
Greek
2021 count
203
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
203
1.4%
+1.2pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
197
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
197
1.4%
+1.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
178
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
178
1.3%
+1.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
170
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
170
1.2%
+0.9pp
Gujarati
2021 count
142
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
142
1.0%
+1.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-5,911
-32.0pp
Mandarin
+1,715
+12.2pp
Cantonese
+876
+6.2pp
Not stated
-383
-2.0pp
Hindi
+191
+1.3pp
Greek
+175
+1.2pp
Sinhalese
+168
+1.2pp
Vietnamese
+159
+1.2pp
Punjabi
+118
+0.9pp
Gujarati
+137
+1.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wantirna. 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 | 8,126 | 57.3% | 68.0% | 14,037 | 89.3% | 71.1% | -5,911 | -32.0pp |
| Mandarin | 1,815 | 12.8% | 7.3% | 100 | 0.6% | 5.2% | +1,715 | +12.2pp |
| Cantonese | 890 | 6.3% | 3.5% | 14 | 0.1% | 3.1% | +876 | +6.2pp |
| Not stated | 519 | 3.7% | 3.3% | 902 | 5.7% | 3.8% | -383 | -2.0pp |
| Hindi | 204 | 1.4% | 0.9% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.9% | +191 | +1.3pp |
| Greek | 203 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 28 | 0.2% | 1.2% | +175 | +1.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 197 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 29 | 0.2% | 1.3% | +168 | +1.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 178 | 1.3% | 0.8% | 19 | 0.1% | 0.8% | +159 | +1.2pp |
| Punjabi | 170 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 52 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +118 | +0.9pp |
| Gujarati | 142 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.4% | +137 | +1.0pp |
| Total | 14,191 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,724 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -1,533 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.