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 Carlton (Vic.), accounting for 46.3% (7,421 people). This share was similar to Melbourne (C) (46.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which decreased by 2,102 people and 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Carlton (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Carlton (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Carlton (Vic.), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
English
2021 count
7,421
% of total
46.3%
Change from 2016
+12.5pp
7,421
46.3%
+12.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,658
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
-9.1pp
2,658
16.6%
-9.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
979
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
979
6.1%
-3.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
522
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
522
3.3%
-1.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
376
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
376
2.3%
+0.4pp
Somali
2021 count
315
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
315
2.0%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
303
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
303
1.9%
+0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
289
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
289
1.8%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
264
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
264
1.6%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
259
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
259
1.6%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,157
+12.5pp
Mandarin
-2,102
-9.1pp
Not stated
-710
-3.0pp
Cantonese
-271
-1.0pp
Vietnamese
+32
+0.4pp
Somali
-114
-0.3pp
Spanish
+64
+0.6pp
Arabic
-91
-0.2pp
Italian
-68
-0.2pp
Hindi
+93
+0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Carlton (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | % | Melbourne (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 7,421 | 46.3% | 46.4% | 6,264 | 33.8% | 40.5% | +1,157 | +12.5pp |
| Mandarin | 2,658 | 16.6% | 14.3% | 4,760 | 25.7% | 18.7% | -2,102 | -9.1pp |
| Not stated | 979 | 6.1% | 7.6% | 1,689 | 9.1% | 11.4% | -710 | -3.0pp |
| Cantonese | 522 | 3.3% | 3.4% | 793 | 4.3% | 3.9% | -271 | -1.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 376 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 344 | 1.9% | 1.5% | +32 | +0.4pp |
| Somali | 315 | 2.0% | 0.6% | 429 | 2.3% | 0.8% | -114 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 303 | 1.9% | 2.7% | 239 | 1.3% | 1.7% | +64 | +0.6pp |
| Arabic | 289 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 380 | 2.0% | 1.3% | -91 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 264 | 1.6% | 1.0% | 332 | 1.8% | 1.3% | -68 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 259 | 1.6% | 2.4% | 166 | 0.9% | 1.7% | +93 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 16,034 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,550 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2,516 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.