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 Urrbrae, accounting for 75% (802 people). This share was lower than Mitcham (C) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 716 people, while its share fell by 20.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Urrbrae - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Urrbrae 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 Urrbrae, with comparison markers for Mitcham (C).
English
2021 count
802
% of total
75.0%
Change from 2016
-20.6pp
802
75.0%
-20.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
77
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-
77
7.2%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
27
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-
27
2.5%
-
Korean
2021 count
25
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
25
2.3%
-
Afrikaans
2021 count
22
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-
22
2.1%
-
Not stated
2021 count
16
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
16
1.5%
-2.9pp
Italian
2021 count
12
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
12
1.1%
-
French
2021 count
10
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.9%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+716
-20.6pp
Not stated
+12
-2.9pp
Data table
Language used at home for Urrbrae. 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 | 802 | 75.0% | 82.5% | 86 | 95.6% | 81.7% | +716 | -20.6pp |
| Mandarin | 77 | 7.2% | 2.5% | - | - | 2.3% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 27 | 2.5% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Korean | 25 | 2.3% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Afrikaans | 22 | 2.1% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Not stated | 16 | 1.5% | 2.4% | 4 | 4.4% | 3.6% | +12 | -2.9pp |
| Italian | 12 | 1.1% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| French | 10 | 0.9% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Total | 1,070 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 90 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +980 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.