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 Ascot Vale, accounting for 69.3% (10,523 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 768 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ascot Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ascot Vale 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 Ascot Vale, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
2021 count
10,523
% of total
69.3%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
10,523
69.3%
+3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
818
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
818
5.4%
-1.8pp
Italian
2021 count
466
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
466
3.1%
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
465
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
465
3.1%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
312
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
312
2.1%
-0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
284
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
284
1.9%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
244
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
244
1.6%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
236
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
236
1.6%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
182
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
182
1.2%
+0.1pp
Somali
2021 count
141
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
141
0.9%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+768
+3.1pp
Not stated
-238
-1.8pp
Italian
-83
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
-18
-0.2pp
Greek
-37
-0.3pp
Cantonese
+17
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-16
-0.2pp
Arabic
-26
-0.2pp
Spanish
+18
+0.1pp
Somali
-41
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ascot Vale. 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 | 10,523 | 69.3% | 68.0% | 9,755 | 66.2% | 64.5% | +768 | +3.1pp |
| Not stated | 818 | 5.4% | 3.9% | 1,056 | 7.2% | 5.8% | -238 | -1.8pp |
| Italian | 466 | 3.1% | 5.5% | 549 | 3.7% | 6.8% | -83 | -0.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 465 | 3.1% | 2.4% | 483 | 3.3% | 2.3% | -18 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 312 | 2.1% | 2.9% | 349 | 2.4% | 3.1% | -37 | -0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 284 | 1.9% | 1.5% | 267 | 1.8% | 1.6% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 244 | 1.6% | 1.7% | 260 | 1.8% | 1.8% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 236 | 1.6% | 1.5% | 262 | 1.8% | 1.5% | -26 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 182 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 164 | 1.1% | 1.0% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Somali | 141 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 182 | 1.2% | 0.5% | -41 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 15,186 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,744 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +442 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.