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 Melbourne (C), accounting for 46.4% (69,367 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 14,360 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Melbourne (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Melbourne (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
69,367
% of total
46.4%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
69,367
46.4%
+5.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
21,393
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
21,393
14.3%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
11,369
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
11,369
7.6%
-3.8pp
Cantonese
2021 count
5,146
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
5,146
3.4%
-0.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
3,998
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
3,998
2.7%
+1.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
3,585
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
3,585
2.4%
+0.7pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
3,172
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
3,172
2.1%
+0.6pp
Indonesian
2021 count
2,715
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,715
1.8%
-0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
2,314
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,314
1.5%
-0.6pp
Thai
2021 count
1,916
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,916
1.3%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+14,360
+5.9pp
Mandarin
-4,012
-4.4pp
Not stated
-4,136
-3.8pp
Cantonese
-141
-0.5pp
Spanish
+1,704
+1.0pp
Hindi
+1,298
+0.7pp
Vietnamese
+1,146
+0.6pp
Indonesian
-215
-0.4pp
Korean
-547
-0.6pp
Thai
+340
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Melbourne (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 69,367 | 46.4% | 61.1% | 55,007 | 40.5% | 62.0% | +14,360 | +5.9pp |
| Mandarin | 21,393 | 14.3% | 4.3% | 25,405 | 18.7% | 4.1% | -4,012 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 11,369 | 7.6% | 4.8% | 15,505 | 11.4% | 5.6% | -4,136 | -3.8pp |
| Cantonese | 5,146 | 3.4% | 1.6% | 5,287 | 3.9% | 1.7% | -141 | -0.5pp |
| Spanish | 3,998 | 2.7% | 0.8% | 2,294 | 1.7% | 0.8% | +1,704 | +1.0pp |
| Hindi | 3,585 | 2.4% | 1.3% | 2,287 | 1.7% | 1.1% | +1,298 | +0.7pp |
| Vietnamese | 3,172 | 2.1% | 2.3% | 2,026 | 1.5% | 2.3% | +1,146 | +0.6pp |
| Indonesian | 2,715 | 1.8% | 0.3% | 2,930 | 2.2% | 0.4% | -215 | -0.4pp |
| Korean | 2,314 | 1.5% | 0.3% | 2,861 | 2.1% | 0.3% | -547 | -0.6pp |
| Thai | 1,916 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 1,576 | 1.2% | 0.2% | +340 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 149,567 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 135,895 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13,672 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.