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 Airport West, accounting for 70.8% (5,803 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 823 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Airport West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Airport West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moonee Valley (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Airport West, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
2021 count
5,803
% of total
70.8%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
5,803
70.8%
+5.3pp
Italian
2021 count
693
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
693
8.5%
-2.2pp
Greek
2021 count
242
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
242
3.0%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
240
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
240
2.9%
-2.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
111
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
111
1.4%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
92
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
92
1.1%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
85
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
85
1.0%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
75
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
75
0.9%
+0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
68
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
68
0.8%
-0.4pp
Maltese
2021 count
59
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
59
0.7%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+823
+5.3pp
Italian
-122
-2.2pp
Greek
+9
-0.1pp
Not stated
-180
-2.6pp
Mandarin
+9
+0.1pp
Arabic
+32
+0.3pp
Spanish
+5
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+37
+0.4pp
Hindi
-20
-0.4pp
Maltese
-27
-0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Airport West. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moonee Valley (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Moonee Valley (C)% | Count | % | Moonee Valley (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,803 | 70.8% | 68.0% | 4,980 | 65.5% | 64.5% | +823 | +5.3pp |
| Italian | 693 | 8.5% | 5.5% | 815 | 10.7% | 6.8% | -122 | -2.2pp |
| Greek | 242 | 3.0% | 2.9% | 233 | 3.1% | 3.1% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 240 | 2.9% | 3.9% | 420 | 5.5% | 5.8% | -180 | -2.6pp |
| Mandarin | 111 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 102 | 1.3% | 1.8% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 92 | 1.1% | 1.5% | 60 | 0.8% | 1.5% | +32 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 85 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 80 | 1.1% | 1.0% | +5 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 75 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 38 | 0.5% | 1.6% | +37 | +0.4pp |
| Hindi | 68 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 88 | 1.2% | 0.8% | -20 | -0.4pp |
| Maltese | 59 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 86 | 1.1% | 0.6% | -27 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 8,199 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,600 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +599 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.