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 Dover Gardens, accounting for 76.8% (2,362 people). This share was higher than Marion (C) (76%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 245 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dover Gardens - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dover Gardens in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Marion (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dover Gardens, with comparison markers for Marion (C).
English
2021 count
2,362
% of total
76.8%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
2,362
76.8%
+2.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
117
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
117
3.8%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
101
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
101
3.3%
-2.5pp
Nepali
2021 count
44
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
44
1.4%
+1.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
32
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
32
1.0%
-1.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
30
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
30
1.0%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
21
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
21
0.7%
+0.2pp
Tamil
2021 count
21
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
21
0.7%
+0.6pp
Hindi
2021 count
21
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
21
0.7%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
20
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
20
0.7%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+245
+2.3pp
Mandarin
+28
+0.7pp
Not stated
-64
-2.5pp
Nepali
+33
+1.0pp
Arabic
-26
-1.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
0
-0.1pp
Italian
+8
+0.2pp
Tamil
+17
+0.6pp
Hindi
+13
+0.4pp
Greek
+10
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Dover Gardens. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Marion (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Marion (C)% | Count | % | Marion (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,362 | 76.8% | 76.0% | 2,117 | 74.5% | 76.9% | +245 | +2.3pp |
| Mandarin | 117 | 3.8% | 3.1% | 89 | 3.1% | 2.8% | +28 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 101 | 3.3% | 3.1% | 165 | 5.8% | 4.3% | -64 | -2.5pp |
| Nepali | 44 | 1.4% | 1.8% | 11 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +33 | +1.0pp |
| Arabic | 32 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 58 | 2.0% | 1.4% | -26 | -1.0pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 30 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 30 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 21 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 13 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Tamil | 21 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +17 | +0.6pp |
| Hindi | 21 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +13 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 20 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 10 | 0.4% | 1.3% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 3,076 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,841 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +235 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.