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 Craigburn Farm, accounting for 86% (2,631 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 563 people, while its share fell by 0.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Craigburn Farm - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Craigburn Farm
Mitcham (C)

English

2021 count

2,631

% of total

86.0%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Mandarin

2021 count

68

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

43

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Greek

2021 count

28

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Hindi

2021 count

28

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Not stated

2021 count

28

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Cantonese

2021 count

18

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Persian (excluding Dari)

2021 count

16

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Polish

2021 count

13

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Arabic

2021 count

13

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Craigburn Farm. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mitcham (C).
Language used at home for Craigburn Farm. 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
English2,63186.0%82.5%2,06886.4%81.7%+563-0.4pp
Mandarin682.2%2.5%381.6%2.3%+30+0.6pp
Afrikaans431.4%0.3%271.1%0.2%+16+0.3pp
Greek280.9%1.9%160.7%2.2%+12+0.2pp
Hindi280.9%0.4%200.8%0.3%+8+0.1pp
Not stated280.9%2.4%441.8%3.6%-16-0.9pp
Cantonese180.6%0.6%40.2%0.6%+14+0.4pp
Persian (excluding Dari)160.5%0.3%130.5%0.3%+30.0pp
Polish130.4%0.3%100.4%0.3%+30.0pp
Arabic130.4%0.6%100.4%0.6%+30.0pp
Total3,061100.0%100.0%2,393100.0%100.0%+6680.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.