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 West Melbourne, accounting for 47.9% (3,826 people). This share was higher than Melbourne (C) (46.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,322 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Melbourne - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West Melbourne 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 West Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).
English
2021 count
3,826
% of total
47.9%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
3,826
47.9%
+2.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,089
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
1,089
13.6%
+3.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
581
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-8.1pp
581
7.3%
-8.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
325
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
325
4.1%
+2.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
269
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
269
3.4%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
192
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
192
2.4%
+0.8pp
Korean
2021 count
187
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
187
2.3%
-2.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
169
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
169
2.1%
+1.1pp
Italian
2021 count
86
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
86
1.1%
-0.7pp
Thai
2021 count
80
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
80
1.0%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,322
+2.5pp
Mandarin
+545
+3.7pp
Not stated
-270
-8.1pp
Spanish
+209
+2.0pp
Cantonese
+71
-0.2pp
Hindi
+102
+0.8pp
Korean
-48
-2.0pp
Vietnamese
+113
+1.1pp
Italian
-15
-0.7pp
Thai
+5
-0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for West Melbourne. 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 | 3,826 | 47.9% | 46.4% | 2,504 | 45.4% | 40.5% | +1,322 | +2.5pp |
| Mandarin | 1,089 | 13.6% | 14.3% | 544 | 9.9% | 18.7% | +545 | +3.7pp |
| Not stated | 581 | 7.3% | 7.6% | 851 | 15.4% | 11.4% | -270 | -8.1pp |
| Spanish | 325 | 4.1% | 2.7% | 116 | 2.1% | 1.7% | +209 | +2.0pp |
| Cantonese | 269 | 3.4% | 3.4% | 198 | 3.6% | 3.9% | +71 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 192 | 2.4% | 2.4% | 90 | 1.6% | 1.7% | +102 | +0.8pp |
| Korean | 187 | 2.3% | 1.5% | 235 | 4.3% | 2.1% | -48 | -2.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 169 | 2.1% | 2.1% | 56 | 1.0% | 1.5% | +113 | +1.1pp |
| Italian | 86 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 101 | 1.8% | 1.3% | -15 | -0.7pp |
| Thai | 80 | 1.0% | 1.3% | 75 | 1.4% | 1.2% | +5 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 7,988 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,511 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,477 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.