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 Pasadena, accounting for 69.2% (2,118 people). This share was lower than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 47 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Pasadena - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Pasadena 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 Pasadena, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
2021 count
2,118
% of total
69.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
2,118
69.2%
-1.0pp
Greek
2021 count
178
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
178
5.8%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
115
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
115
3.8%
-1.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
100
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
100
3.3%
+1.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
71
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
71
2.3%
+1.1pp
German
2021 count
36
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
36
1.2%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
31
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
31
1.0%
-0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
27
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
27
0.9%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
27
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
27
0.9%
+0.6pp
Italian
2021 count
26
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
26
0.8%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+17
-1.0pp
Greek
-5
-0.3pp
Not stated
-37
-1.3pp
Mandarin
+47
+1.5pp
Arabic
+36
+1.1pp
German
+6
+0.2pp
Cantonese
-8
-0.3pp
Malayalam
+6
+0.2pp
Hindi
+19
+0.6pp
Italian
-21
-0.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Pasadena. 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 | 2,118 | 69.2% | 82.5% | 2,101 | 70.2% | 81.7% | +17 | -1.0pp |
| Greek | 178 | 5.8% | 1.9% | 183 | 6.1% | 2.2% | -5 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 115 | 3.8% | 2.4% | 152 | 5.1% | 3.6% | -37 | -1.3pp |
| Mandarin | 100 | 3.3% | 2.5% | 53 | 1.8% | 2.3% | +47 | +1.5pp |
| Arabic | 71 | 2.3% | 0.6% | 35 | 1.2% | 0.6% | +36 | +1.1pp |
| German | 36 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 30 | 1.0% | 0.6% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 31 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 39 | 1.3% | 0.6% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 27 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.7% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 27 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +19 | +0.6pp |
| Italian | 26 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 47 | 1.6% | 0.9% | -21 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 3,059 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,993 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +66 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.