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 Docklands, accounting for 37.5% (5,807 people). This share was lower than Melbourne (C) (46.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,038 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Docklands - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Docklands 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 Docklands, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
English
2021 count
5,807
% of total
37.5%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
5,807
37.5%
+3.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,315
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
2,315
15.0%
-3.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,431
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
1,431
9.2%
-3.7pp
Hindi
2021 count
732
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
732
4.7%
-0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
504
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
504
3.3%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
401
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
401
2.6%
+1.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
308
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
308
2.0%
+0.2pp
Telugu
2021 count
300
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
300
1.9%
-0.5pp
Korean
2021 count
296
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
296
1.9%
-1.1pp
Tamil
2021 count
287
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
287
1.9%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,038
+3.0pp
Mandarin
+313
-3.3pp
Not stated
+23
-3.7pp
Hindi
+196
-0.2pp
Cantonese
+168
+0.2pp
Spanish
+248
+1.2pp
Arabic
+115
+0.2pp
Telugu
+37
-0.5pp
Korean
-30
-1.1pp
Tamil
+108
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Docklands. 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 | 5,807 | 37.5% | 46.4% | 3,769 | 34.5% | 40.5% | +2,038 | +3.0pp |
| Mandarin | 2,315 | 15.0% | 14.3% | 2,002 | 18.3% | 18.7% | +313 | -3.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,431 | 9.2% | 7.6% | 1,408 | 12.9% | 11.4% | +23 | -3.7pp |
| Hindi | 732 | 4.7% | 2.4% | 536 | 4.9% | 1.7% | +196 | -0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 504 | 3.3% | 3.4% | 336 | 3.1% | 3.9% | +168 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 401 | 2.6% | 2.7% | 153 | 1.4% | 1.7% | +248 | +1.2pp |
| Arabic | 308 | 2.0% | 1.2% | 193 | 1.8% | 1.3% | +115 | +0.2pp |
| Telugu | 300 | 1.9% | 0.7% | 263 | 2.4% | 0.6% | +37 | -0.5pp |
| Korean | 296 | 1.9% | 1.5% | 326 | 3.0% | 2.1% | -30 | -1.1pp |
| Tamil | 287 | 1.9% | 0.8% | 179 | 1.6% | 0.6% | +108 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 15,477 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,927 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,550 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.