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 Bulleen, accounting for 48.7% (5,461 people). This share was lower than Manningham (C) (50.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 358 people and 2.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Bulleen - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Bulleen in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Manningham (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Bulleen, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).

Bulleen
Manningham (C)

English

2021 count

5,461

% of total

48.7%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Mandarin

2021 count

1,030

% of total

9.2%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Greek

2021 count

1,006

% of total

9.0%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Italian

2021 count

952

% of total

8.5%

Change from 2016

-2.4pp

Cantonese

2021 count

673

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

279

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

Arabic

2021 count

213

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Persian (excluding Dari)

2021 count

198

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

197

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Korean

2021 count

88

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Language used at home for Bulleen. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).

Language used at home for Bulleen. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
Language used at home for Bulleen. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Manningham (C)%Count%Manningham (C)%Countpp
English5,46148.7%50.7%5,10346.4%53.6%+358+2.3pp
Mandarin1,0309.2%13.9%9768.9%10.7%+54+0.3pp
Greek1,0069.0%5.5%1,0059.1%6.1%+1-0.1pp
Italian9528.5%3.1%1,19410.9%4.2%-242-2.4pp
Cantonese6736.0%8.5%6726.1%8.1%+1-0.1pp
Not stated2792.5%3.1%4934.5%3.9%-214-2.0pp
Arabic2131.9%1.9%1641.5%1.6%+49+0.4pp
Persian (excluding Dari)1981.8%2.7%1411.3%1.9%+57+0.5pp
Vietnamese1971.8%0.7%1731.6%0.6%+24+0.2pp
Korean880.8%0.9%570.5%0.8%+31+0.3pp
Total11,219100.0%100.0%10,987100.0%100.0%+2320.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.