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 Hawthorn (SA), accounting for 84.4% (1,853 people). This share was higher than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 47 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hawthorn (SA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Hawthorn (SA) 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 Hawthorn (SA), with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
2021 count
1,853
% of total
84.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,853
84.4%
+0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
57
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
57
2.6%
+0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
50
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
50
2.3%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
46
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
46
2.1%
-1.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
19
0.9%
+0.7pp
Urdu
2021 count
16
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
16
0.7%
-0.6pp
German
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.6%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
13
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
13
0.6%
+0.3pp
French
2021 count
12
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12
0.5%
-0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+47
+0.6pp
Greek
+13
+0.6pp
Mandarin
+4
+0.2pp
Not stated
-20
-1.0pp
Vietnamese
+15
+0.7pp
Urdu
-11
-0.6pp
German
0
0.0pp
Hindi
+6
+0.3pp
French
0
-0.1pp
Japanese
+1
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Hawthorn (SA). 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 | 1,853 | 84.4% | 82.5% | 1,806 | 83.8% | 81.7% | +47 | +0.6pp |
| Greek | 57 | 2.6% | 1.9% | 44 | 2.0% | 2.2% | +13 | +0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 50 | 2.3% | 2.5% | 46 | 2.1% | 2.3% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 46 | 2.1% | 2.4% | 66 | 3.1% | 3.6% | -20 | -1.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 19 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +15 | +0.7pp |
| Urdu | 16 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 27 | 1.3% | 0.3% | -11 | -0.6pp |
| German | 14 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 14 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 13 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| French | 12 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Japanese | 10 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +1 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 2,195 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,154 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +41 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.