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 (Vic.), accounting for 90.6% (5,004 people). This share was higher than Mansfield (S) (88.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 708 people and 1 percentage point.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Mansfield (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Mansfield (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mansfield (S) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Mansfield (Vic.), with comparison markers for Mansfield (S).

Mansfield (Vic.)
Mansfield (S)

English

2021 count

5,004

% of total

90.6%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

312

% of total

5.7%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

German

2021 count

47

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Mandarin

2021 count

25

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Urdu

2021 count

17

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Punjabi

2021 count

15

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

French

2021 count

14

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Spanish

2021 count

10

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for Mansfield (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mansfield (S).

Language used at home for Mansfield (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mansfield (S).
Language used at home for Mansfield (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mansfield (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mansfield (S)%Count%Mansfield (S)%Countpp
English5,00490.6%88.7%4,29689.6%88.3%+708+1.0pp
Not stated3125.7%7.3%3256.8%7.6%-13-1.1pp
German470.9%0.6%320.7%0.7%+15+0.2pp
Mandarin250.5%0.6%260.5%0.7%-10.0pp
Urdu170.3%0.1%30.1%0.0%+14+0.2pp
Punjabi150.3%0.1%160.3%0.2%-10.0pp
French140.3%0.2%180.4%0.3%-4-0.1pp
Spanish100.2%0.2%50.1%0.1%+5+0.1pp
Total5,521100.0%100.0%4,797100.0%100.0%+7240.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.