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, accounting for 51.6% (8,747 people). This share was higher than Manningham (C) (50.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 694 people and 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Templestowe - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Templestowe 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, with comparison markers for Manningham (C).
English
2021 count
8,747
% of total
51.6%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
8,747
51.6%
-2.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,215
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
2,215
13.1%
+3.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,139
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,139
6.7%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
1,070
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,070
6.3%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
581
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
581
3.4%
-0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
580
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
580
3.4%
-0.9pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
541
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
541
3.2%
+0.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
412
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
412
2.4%
-0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
135
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
135
0.8%
+0.2pp
Albanian
2021 count
128
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
128
0.8%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-275
-2.7pp
Mandarin
+694
+3.9pp
Cantonese
+15
-0.1pp
Greek
-56
-0.5pp
Not stated
-43
-0.4pp
Italian
-138
-0.9pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+152
+0.9pp
Arabic
+3
-0.1pp
Punjabi
+37
+0.2pp
Albanian
+28
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Templestowe. 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 | 8,747 | 51.6% | 50.7% | 9,022 | 54.3% | 53.6% | -275 | -2.7pp |
| Mandarin | 2,215 | 13.1% | 13.9% | 1,521 | 9.2% | 10.7% | +694 | +3.9pp |
| Cantonese | 1,139 | 6.7% | 8.5% | 1,124 | 6.8% | 8.1% | +15 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 1,070 | 6.3% | 5.5% | 1,126 | 6.8% | 6.1% | -56 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 581 | 3.4% | 3.1% | 624 | 3.8% | 3.9% | -43 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 580 | 3.4% | 3.1% | 718 | 4.3% | 4.2% | -138 | -0.9pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 541 | 3.2% | 2.7% | 389 | 2.3% | 1.9% | +152 | +0.9pp |
| Arabic | 412 | 2.4% | 1.9% | 409 | 2.5% | 1.6% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 135 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 98 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +37 | +0.2pp |
| Albanian | 128 | 0.8% | 0.2% | 100 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +28 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 16,950 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,611 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +339 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.