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 Mansfield (S), accounting for 88.7% (9,011 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,422 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mansfield (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mansfield (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mansfield (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
9,011
% of total
88.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
9,011
88.7%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
746
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
746
7.3%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
66
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
66
0.6%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
62
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
62
0.6%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
23
0.2%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
18
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.2%
0.0pp
Russian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
16
0.2%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15
0.1%
-0.1pp
Urdu
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.1%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,422
+0.4pp
Not stated
+89
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+9
-0.1pp
German
+2
-0.1pp
French
0
-0.1pp
Spanish
+12
+0.1pp
Italian
+3
0.0pp
Russian
+13
+0.2pp
Punjabi
-1
-0.1pp
Urdu
+12
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mansfield (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 9,011 | 88.7% | 86.4% | 7,589 | 88.3% | 86.6% | +1,422 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 746 | 7.3% | 6.5% | 657 | 7.6% | 7.4% | +89 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 66 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 57 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| German | 62 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 60 | 0.7% | 0.2% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| French | 23 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 18 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Russian | 16 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 15 | 0.1% | 0.5% | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Urdu | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 10,156 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,592 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,564 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.