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 Avondale Heights, accounting for 49.2% (6,097 people). This share was lower than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 952 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Avondale Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Avondale Heights 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 Avondale Heights, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
2021 count
6,097
% of total
49.2%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
6,097
49.2%
+4.9pp
Italian
2021 count
1,393
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
1,393
11.2%
-3.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
839
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
839
6.8%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
579
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
579
4.7%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
470
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
470
3.8%
-1.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
405
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
405
3.3%
-0.1pp
Croatian
2021 count
313
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
313
2.5%
-0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
288
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
288
2.3%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
214
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
214
1.7%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
205
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
205
1.7%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+952
+4.9pp
Italian
-255
-3.0pp
Vietnamese
+62
+0.1pp
Greek
-64
-0.8pp
Not stated
-106
-1.2pp
Cantonese
+14
-0.1pp
Croatian
-11
-0.3pp
Arabic
+45
+0.2pp
Spanish
+19
0.0pp
Mandarin
+30
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Avondale Heights. 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 | 6,097 | 49.2% | 68.0% | 5,145 | 44.3% | 64.5% | +952 | +4.9pp |
| Italian | 1,393 | 11.2% | 5.5% | 1,648 | 14.2% | 6.8% | -255 | -3.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 839 | 6.8% | 2.4% | 777 | 6.7% | 2.3% | +62 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 579 | 4.7% | 2.9% | 643 | 5.5% | 3.1% | -64 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 470 | 3.8% | 3.9% | 576 | 5.0% | 5.8% | -106 | -1.2pp |
| Cantonese | 405 | 3.3% | 1.5% | 391 | 3.4% | 1.6% | +14 | -0.1pp |
| Croatian | 313 | 2.5% | 0.8% | 324 | 2.8% | 0.8% | -11 | -0.3pp |
| Arabic | 288 | 2.3% | 1.5% | 243 | 2.1% | 1.5% | +45 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 214 | 1.7% | 1.2% | 195 | 1.7% | 1.0% | +19 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 205 | 1.7% | 1.7% | 175 | 1.5% | 1.8% | +30 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 12,399 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,607 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +792 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.