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 Bedford Park (part), accounting for 52.7% (976 people). This share was lower than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Indonesian, which decreased by 77 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bedford Park (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bedford Park (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mitcham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bedford Park (part), with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
2021 count
976
% of total
52.7%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
976
52.7%
+1.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
165
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
165
8.9%
-1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
163
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
163
8.8%
+4.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
63
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
63
3.4%
-1.3pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
36
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
36
1.9%
+1.5pp
Malayalam
2021 count
32
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
32
1.7%
+1.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
32
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
32
1.7%
+0.7pp
Greek
2021 count
30
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
1.6%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
27
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
27
1.5%
-0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
27
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
27
1.5%
+0.9pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+55
+1.9pp
Mandarin
-24
-1.5pp
Not stated
+87
+4.6pp
Vietnamese
-23
-1.3pp
Sinhalese
+28
+1.5pp
Malayalam
+23
+1.2pp
Nepali
+13
+0.7pp
Greek
+1
0.0pp
Cantonese
-8
-0.4pp
Korean
+16
+0.9pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bedford Park (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | % | Mitcham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 976 | 52.7% | 82.5% | 921 | 50.8% | 81.7% | +55 | +1.9pp |
| Mandarin | 165 | 8.9% | 2.5% | 189 | 10.4% | 2.3% | -24 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 163 | 8.8% | 2.4% | 76 | 4.2% | 3.6% | +87 | +4.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 63 | 3.4% | 0.4% | 86 | 4.7% | 0.4% | -23 | -1.3pp |
| Sinhalese | 36 | 1.9% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +28 | +1.5pp |
| Malayalam | 32 | 1.7% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +23 | +1.2pp |
| Nepali | 32 | 1.7% | 0.6% | 19 | 1.0% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.7pp |
| Greek | 30 | 1.6% | 1.9% | 29 | 1.6% | 2.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 27 | 1.5% | 0.6% | 35 | 1.9% | 0.6% | -8 | -0.4pp |
| Korean | 27 | 1.5% | 0.3% | 11 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +16 | +0.9pp |
| Total | 1,853 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,813 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +40 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.