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 Meander Valley (M), accounting for 91.6% (18,946 people). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,355 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Meander Valley (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Meander Valley (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Meander Valley (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
English
2021 count
18,946
% of total
91.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
18,946
91.6%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
910
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
910
4.4%
-1.8pp
Tetum
2021 count
80
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
80
0.4%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
62
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
62
0.3%
+0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
51
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
51
0.2%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
44
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
44
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
34
0.2%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
31
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
31
0.1%
-0.1pp
Russian
2021 count
23
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.1%
0.0pp
Urdu
2021 count
23
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,355
+0.3pp
Not stated
-286
-1.8pp
Mandarin
+36
+0.2pp
Nepali
+46
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+12
0.0pp
Italian
-18
-0.1pp
German
-7
-0.1pp
Russian
0
0.0pp
Urdu
0
0.0pp
Malayalam
+18
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Meander Valley (M). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 18,946 | 91.6% | 88.9% | 17,591 | 91.3% | 89.8% | +1,355 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 910 | 4.4% | 5.6% | 1,196 | 6.2% | 6.7% | -286 | -1.8pp |
| Tetum | 80 | 0.4% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 62 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 26 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +36 | +0.2pp |
| Nepali | 51 | 0.2% | 0.9% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.3% | +46 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 44 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 34 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 52 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -18 | -0.1pp |
| German | 31 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 38 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Russian | 23 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 23 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 23 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 20,689 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,264 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,425 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.