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 English, which increased by 7,808 people, while its share fell by 17.8 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
-17.8pp
7,840
62.2%
-17.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,121
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-
1,121
8.9%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
966
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-
966
7.7%
-
Not stated
2021 count
469
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-16.3pp
469
3.7%
-16.3pp
Greek
2021 count
364
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-
364
2.9%
-
Italian
2021 count
301
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-
301
2.4%
-
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
259
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-
259
2.1%
-
Arabic
2021 count
205
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-
205
1.6%
-
Hindi
2021 count
89
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
89
0.7%
-
Korean
2021 count
85
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
85
0.7%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7,808
-17.8pp
Not stated
+461
-16.3pp
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% | 32 | 80.0% | 53.6% | +7,808 | -17.8pp |
| Mandarin | 1,121 | 8.9% | 13.9% | - | - | 10.7% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 966 | 7.7% | 8.5% | - | - | 8.1% | - | - |
| Not stated | 469 | 3.7% | 3.1% | 8 | 20.0% | 3.9% | +461 | -16.3pp |
| Greek | 364 | 2.9% | 5.5% | - | - | 6.1% | - | - |
| Italian | 301 | 2.4% | 3.1% | - | - | 4.2% | - | - |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 259 | 2.1% | 2.7% | - | - | 1.9% | - | - |
| Arabic | 205 | 1.6% | 1.9% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Hindi | 89 | 0.7% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Korean | 85 | 0.7% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Total | 12,614 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,574 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.