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 Loddon (S), accounting for 86.4% (6,692 people). This share was similar to Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 206 people, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Loddon (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Loddon (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Loddon (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
6,692
% of total
86.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
6,692
86.4%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
823
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
823
10.6%
-0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
49
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
49
0.6%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
36
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
36
0.5%
+0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.2%
+0.1pp
Bisaya
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
11
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.1%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10
0.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+206
-0.1pp
Not stated
+19
-0.1pp
Filipino
+14
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+18
+0.3pp
Malayalam
+8
+0.1pp
Bisaya
+9
+0.1pp
Italian
+2
+0.1pp
Arabic
+7
0.0pp
Greek
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Loddon (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,692 | 86.4% | 86.4% | 6,486 | 86.5% | 86.6% | +206 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 823 | 10.6% | 6.5% | 804 | 10.7% | 7.4% | +19 | -0.1pp |
| Filipino | 49 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 36 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Bisaya | 16 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 13 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.7% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 11 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 10 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 7,743 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,499 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +244 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.