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 Moira (S), accounting for 87.6% (26,713 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,159 people, while its share fell by 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Moira (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Moira (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 Moira (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
26,713
% of total
87.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
26,713
87.6%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,215
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,215
7.3%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
263
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
263
0.9%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
224
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
224
0.7%
+0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
155
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
155
0.5%
+0.1pp
Malay
2021 count
92
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
92
0.3%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
75
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
75
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
72
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
72
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
63
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
63
0.2%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
61
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
61
0.2%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,159
-0.3pp
Not stated
-4
-0.3pp
Italian
-58
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+156
+0.5pp
Punjabi
+46
+0.1pp
Malay
+75
+0.2pp
Filipino
+25
0.0pp
Tagalog
+24
0.0pp
Thai
+35
+0.1pp
Arabic
-83
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Moira (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 | 26,713 | 87.6% | 86.4% | 25,554 | 87.9% | 86.6% | +1,159 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 2,215 | 7.3% | 6.5% | 2,219 | 7.6% | 7.4% | -4 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 263 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 321 | 1.1% | 0.7% | -58 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 224 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 68 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +156 | +0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 155 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 109 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +46 | +0.1pp |
| Malay | 92 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +75 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 75 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 50 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 72 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 48 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +24 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 63 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 28 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +35 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 61 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 144 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -83 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 30,504 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,084 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,420 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.