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 Manningham (C), accounting for 50.7% (63,188 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 4,871 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Manningham (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Manningham (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Manningham (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
63,188
% of total
50.7%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
63,188
50.7%
-2.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
17,341
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
17,341
13.9%
+3.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
10,559
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
10,559
8.5%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
6,871
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
6,871
5.5%
-0.6pp
Italian
2021 count
3,881
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
3,881
3.1%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,825
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,825
3.1%
-0.8pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
3,309
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
3,309
2.7%
+0.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
2,314
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
2,314
1.9%
+0.3pp
Korean
2021 count
1,060
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,060
0.9%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
1,048
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,048
0.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+857
-2.9pp
Mandarin
+4,871
+3.2pp
Cantonese
+1,159
+0.4pp
Greek
-176
-0.6pp
Italian
-1,012
-1.1pp
Not stated
-694
-0.8pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+1,134
+0.8pp
Arabic
+509
+0.3pp
Korean
+154
+0.1pp
Hindi
+287
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Manningham (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 63,188 | 50.7% | 61.1% | 62,331 | 53.6% | 62.0% | +857 | -2.9pp |
| Mandarin | 17,341 | 13.9% | 4.3% | 12,470 | 10.7% | 4.1% | +4,871 | +3.2pp |
| Cantonese | 10,559 | 8.5% | 1.6% | 9,400 | 8.1% | 1.7% | +1,159 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 6,871 | 5.5% | 2.1% | 7,047 | 6.1% | 2.4% | -176 | -0.6pp |
| Italian | 3,881 | 3.1% | 1.7% | 4,893 | 4.2% | 2.3% | -1,012 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 3,825 | 3.1% | 4.8% | 4,519 | 3.9% | 5.6% | -694 | -0.8pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 3,309 | 2.7% | 0.4% | 2,175 | 1.9% | 0.3% | +1,134 | +0.8pp |
| Arabic | 2,314 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 1,805 | 1.6% | 1.7% | +509 | +0.3pp |
| Korean | 1,060 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 906 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +154 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 1,048 | 0.8% | 1.3% | 761 | 0.7% | 1.1% | +287 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 124,639 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 116,247 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,392 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.