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 Clarence Gardens, accounting for 80.6% (1,915 people). This share was lower than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 52 people, while its share fell by 1 percentage point.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Clarence Gardens - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Clarence Gardens 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 Clarence Gardens, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).

Clarence Gardens
Mitcham (C)

English

2021 count

1,915

% of total

80.6%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Mandarin

2021 count

97

% of total

4.1%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Greek

2021 count

68

% of total

2.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

43

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Nepali

2021 count

32

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Cantonese

2021 count

29

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Italian

2021 count

26

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Arabic

2021 count

18

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Hindi

2021 count

17

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

15

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Language used at home for Clarence Gardens. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).

Language used at home for Clarence Gardens. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
Language used at home for Clarence Gardens. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mitcham (C)%Count%Mitcham (C)%Countpp
English1,91580.6%82.5%1,86381.6%81.7%+52-1.0pp
Mandarin974.1%2.5%743.2%2.3%+23+0.9pp
Greek682.9%1.9%642.8%2.2%+4+0.1pp
Not stated431.8%2.4%421.8%3.6%+10.0pp
Nepali321.3%0.6%150.7%0.2%+17+0.6pp
Cantonese291.2%0.6%261.1%0.6%+3+0.1pp
Italian261.1%0.7%271.2%0.9%-1-0.1pp
Arabic180.8%0.6%100.4%0.6%+8+0.4pp
Hindi170.7%0.4%60.3%0.3%+11+0.4pp
Vietnamese150.6%0.4%70.3%0.4%+8+0.3pp
Total2,376100.0%100.0%2,282100.0%100.0%+940.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.