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 Marion, accounting for 75.3% (3,063 people). This share was lower than Marion (C) (76%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 108 people, while its share fell by 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Marion - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Marion 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 Marion, with comparison markers for Marion (C).
English
2021 count
3,063
% of total
75.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,063
75.3%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
148
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
148
3.6%
-0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
143
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
143
3.5%
+0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
122
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
122
3.0%
+2.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
58
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
58
1.4%
+0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
58
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
58
1.4%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
44
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
44
1.1%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
34
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
34
0.8%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
32
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
32
0.8%
-0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
29
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
29
0.7%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+108
-0.5pp
Not stated
-18
-0.7pp
Mandarin
+20
+0.3pp
Nepali
+98
+2.4pp
Punjabi
+14
+0.3pp
Cantonese
+20
+0.4pp
Greek
-6
-0.2pp
Tagalog
-1
-0.1pp
Italian
-14
-0.4pp
Arabic
-6
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Marion. 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 | 3,063 | 75.3% | 76.0% | 2,955 | 75.8% | 76.9% | +108 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 148 | 3.6% | 3.1% | 166 | 4.3% | 4.3% | -18 | -0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 143 | 3.5% | 3.1% | 123 | 3.2% | 2.8% | +20 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 122 | 3.0% | 1.8% | 24 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +98 | +2.4pp |
| Punjabi | 58 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 44 | 1.1% | 0.7% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 58 | 1.4% | 0.9% | 38 | 1.0% | 0.9% | +20 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 44 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 50 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 34 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 35 | 0.9% | 0.5% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 32 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 46 | 1.2% | 0.8% | -14 | -0.4pp |
| Arabic | 29 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 35 | 0.9% | 1.4% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 4,068 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,897 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +171 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.