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 Macedon Ranges (S), accounting for 90.5% (46,536 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,513 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Macedon Ranges (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Macedon Ranges (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 Macedon Ranges (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
46,536
% of total
90.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
46,536
90.5%
+1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,584
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
2,584
5.0%
-1.5pp
Italian
2021 count
261
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
261
0.5%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
185
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
185
0.4%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
163
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
163
0.3%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
138
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
138
0.3%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
129
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
129
0.3%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
124
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
124
0.2%
0.0pp
Maltese
2021 count
104
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
104
0.2%
-0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
81
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
81
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,513
+1.5pp
Not stated
-432
-1.5pp
Italian
-85
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+27
+0.1pp
German
-29
-0.1pp
Greek
+16
0.0pp
Spanish
+32
+0.1pp
French
+33
0.0pp
Maltese
-19
-0.1pp
Dutch
+9
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Macedon Ranges (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 | 46,536 | 90.5% | 86.4% | 41,023 | 89.0% | 86.6% | +5,513 | +1.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,584 | 5.0% | 6.5% | 3,016 | 6.5% | 7.4% | -432 | -1.5pp |
| Italian | 261 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 346 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -85 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 185 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 158 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +27 | +0.1pp |
| German | 163 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 192 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -29 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 138 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 122 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 129 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 97 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +32 | +0.1pp |
| French | 124 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 91 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +33 | 0.0pp |
| Maltese | 104 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 123 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Dutch | 81 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 72 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 51,412 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 46,113 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,299 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.