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 (part), accounting for 35.9% (19,740 people). This share was lower than Melbourne (C) (46.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,125 people and 7.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Melbourne (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Melbourne (part) 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 Melbourne (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
English
2021 count
19,740
% of total
35.9%
Change from 2016
+7.1pp
19,740
35.9%
+7.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
11,061
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
11,061
20.1%
-6.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,285
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
5,285
9.6%
-2.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
2,160
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
2,160
3.9%
-1.0pp
Indonesian
2021 count
1,709
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,709
3.1%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
1,393
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,393
2.5%
+0.7pp
Hindi
2021 count
1,354
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,354
2.5%
+0.5pp
Thai
2021 count
1,262
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,262
2.3%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,219
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,219
2.2%
+1.0pp
Korean
2021 count
1,105
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,105
2.0%
-1.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,125
+7.1pp
Mandarin
-1,399
-6.3pp
Not stated
-298
-2.2pp
Cantonese
-146
-1.0pp
Indonesian
+81
-0.3pp
Spanish
+564
+0.7pp
Hindi
+400
+0.5pp
Thai
+189
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+647
+1.0pp
Korean
-355
-1.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Melbourne (part). 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 | 19,740 | 35.9% | 46.4% | 13,615 | 28.8% | 40.5% | +6,125 | +7.1pp |
| Mandarin | 11,061 | 20.1% | 14.3% | 12,460 | 26.4% | 18.7% | -1,399 | -6.3pp |
| Not stated | 5,285 | 9.6% | 7.6% | 5,583 | 11.8% | 11.4% | -298 | -2.2pp |
| Cantonese | 2,160 | 3.9% | 3.4% | 2,306 | 4.9% | 3.9% | -146 | -1.0pp |
| Indonesian | 1,709 | 3.1% | 1.8% | 1,628 | 3.4% | 2.2% | +81 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 1,393 | 2.5% | 2.7% | 829 | 1.8% | 1.7% | +564 | +0.7pp |
| Hindi | 1,354 | 2.5% | 2.4% | 954 | 2.0% | 1.7% | +400 | +0.5pp |
| Thai | 1,262 | 2.3% | 1.3% | 1,073 | 2.3% | 1.2% | +189 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,219 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 572 | 1.2% | 1.5% | +647 | +1.0pp |
| Korean | 1,105 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 1,460 | 3.1% | 2.1% | -355 | -1.1pp |
| Total | 54,941 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 47,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,683 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.