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 Parkville (Vic.) (part), accounting for 66.7% (4,689 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (46.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,218 people, while its share fell by 24.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Parkville (Vic.) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Parkville (Vic.) (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 Parkville (Vic.) (part), with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
English
2021 count
4,689
% of total
66.7%
Change from 2016
-24.3pp
4,689
66.7%
-24.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
442
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+6.2pp
442
6.3%
+6.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
346
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
346
4.9%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
196
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-
196
2.8%
-
Spanish
2021 count
138
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
138
2.0%
+1.8pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
92
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
92
1.3%
-
Hindi
2021 count
77
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
77
1.1%
-
Italian
2021 count
71
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
71
1.0%
+0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
56
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
56
0.8%
+0.7pp
Somali
2021 count
54
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
54
0.8%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,218
-24.3pp
Mandarin
+439
+6.2pp
Not stated
+166
+0.2pp
Spanish
+129
+1.8pp
Italian
+45
+0.3pp
Arabic
+53
+0.7pp
Japanese
+35
+0.4pp
Greek
-2
-0.5pp
German
+13
+0.1pp
Dutch
+1
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Parkville (Vic.) (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 | 4,689 | 66.7% | 46.4% | 3,471 | 91.0% | 40.5% | +1,218 | -24.3pp |
| Mandarin | 442 | 6.3% | 14.3% | 3 | 0.1% | 18.7% | +439 | +6.2pp |
| Not stated | 346 | 4.9% | 7.6% | 180 | 4.7% | 11.4% | +166 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 196 | 2.8% | 3.4% | - | - | 3.9% | - | - |
| Spanish | 138 | 2.0% | 2.7% | 9 | 0.2% | 1.7% | +129 | +1.8pp |
| Vietnamese | 92 | 1.3% | 2.1% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Hindi | 77 | 1.1% | 2.4% | - | - | 1.7% | - | - |
| Italian | 71 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 26 | 0.7% | 1.3% | +45 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 56 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 3 | 0.1% | 1.3% | +53 | +0.7pp |
| Somali | 54 | 0.8% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Total | 7,029 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,816 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,213 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.