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 Donvale, accounting for 62.2% (7,840 people). This share was higher than Manningham (C) (50.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 336 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Donvale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Donvale 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 Donvale, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).
English
2021 count
7,840
% of total
62.2%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
7,840
62.2%
-3.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,121
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
1,121
8.9%
+2.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
966
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
966
7.7%
+1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
469
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
469
3.7%
-0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
364
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
364
2.9%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
301
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
301
2.4%
-0.7pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
259
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
259
2.1%
+0.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
205
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
205
1.6%
+0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
89
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
89
0.7%
+0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
85
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
85
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-301
-3.9pp
Mandarin
+336
+2.5pp
Cantonese
+214
+1.6pp
Not stated
-63
-0.6pp
Greek
-5
-0.1pp
Italian
-77
-0.7pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+91
+0.7pp
Arabic
+43
+0.3pp
Hindi
+12
+0.1pp
Korean
+12
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Donvale. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Manningham (C)% | Count | % | Manningham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 7,840 | 62.2% | 50.7% | 8,141 | 66.1% | 53.6% | -301 | -3.9pp |
| Mandarin | 1,121 | 8.9% | 13.9% | 785 | 6.4% | 10.7% | +336 | +2.5pp |
| Cantonese | 966 | 7.7% | 8.5% | 752 | 6.1% | 8.1% | +214 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 469 | 3.7% | 3.1% | 532 | 4.3% | 3.9% | -63 | -0.6pp |
| Greek | 364 | 2.9% | 5.5% | 369 | 3.0% | 6.1% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 301 | 2.4% | 3.1% | 378 | 3.1% | 4.2% | -77 | -0.7pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 259 | 2.1% | 2.7% | 168 | 1.4% | 1.9% | +91 | +0.7pp |
| Arabic | 205 | 1.6% | 1.9% | 162 | 1.3% | 1.6% | +43 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 89 | 0.7% | 0.8% | 77 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 85 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 73 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 12,614 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,321 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +293 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.