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 Mitchell (S), accounting for 82.7% (40,885 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,199 people, while its share fell by 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mitchell (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mitchell (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mitchell (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
40,885
% of total
82.7%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
40,885
82.7%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,936
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
2,936
5.9%
-2.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
1,158
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
1,158
2.3%
+1.9pp
Italian
2021 count
406
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
406
0.8%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
280
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
280
0.6%
+0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
261
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
261
0.5%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
248
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
248
0.5%
0.0pp
Hmong
2021 count
214
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
214
0.4%
+0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
206
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
206
0.4%
+0.1pp
Turkish
2021 count
195
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
195
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,199
-2.1pp
Not stated
-346
-2.1pp
Punjabi
+991
+1.9pp
Italian
+15
-0.2pp
Hindi
+177
+0.3pp
Arabic
+149
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+60
0.0pp
Hmong
+144
+0.2pp
Greek
+82
+0.1pp
Turkish
+105
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mitchell (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 40,885 | 82.7% | 86.4% | 34,686 | 84.8% | 86.6% | +6,199 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 2,936 | 5.9% | 6.5% | 3,282 | 8.0% | 7.4% | -346 | -2.1pp |
| Punjabi | 1,158 | 2.3% | 0.5% | 167 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +991 | +1.9pp |
| Italian | 406 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 391 | 1.0% | 0.7% | +15 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 280 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 103 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +177 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 261 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 112 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +149 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 248 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 188 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +60 | 0.0pp |
| Hmong | 214 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 70 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +144 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 206 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 124 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +82 | +0.1pp |
| Turkish | 195 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 90 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +105 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 49,448 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,899 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,549 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.