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 Templestowe Lower, accounting for 52.1% (7,341 people). This share was higher than Manningham (C) (50.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 295 people and 1.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Templestowe Lower - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Templestowe Lower 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 Templestowe Lower, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).

Templestowe Lower
Manningham (C)

English

2021 count

7,341

% of total

52.1%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Mandarin

2021 count

1,530

% of total

10.9%

Change from 2016

+1.7pp

Greek

2021 count

1,211

% of total

8.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Cantonese

2021 count

848

% of total

6.0%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Italian

2021 count

577

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

395

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Persian (excluding Dari)

2021 count

368

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Arabic

2021 count

315

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

108

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Hindi

2021 count

96

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Templestowe Lower. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Manningham (C).
Language used at home for Templestowe Lower. 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
English7,34152.1%50.7%7,21453.5%53.6%+127-1.4pp
Mandarin1,53010.9%13.9%1,2359.2%10.7%+295+1.7pp
Greek1,2118.6%5.5%1,1708.7%6.1%+41-0.1pp
Cantonese8486.0%8.5%8025.9%8.1%+46+0.1pp
Italian5774.1%3.1%7185.3%4.2%-141-1.2pp
Not stated3952.8%3.1%4983.7%3.9%-103-0.9pp
Persian (excluding Dari)3682.6%2.7%2191.6%1.9%+149+1.0pp
Arabic3152.2%1.9%2451.8%1.6%+70+0.4pp
Vietnamese1080.8%0.7%1020.8%0.6%+60.0pp
Hindi960.7%0.8%600.4%0.7%+36+0.3pp
Total14,098100.0%100.0%13,485100.0%100.0%+6130.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.