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 Essendon North, accounting for 67.6% (2,050 people). This share was lower than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 179 people and 4.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Essendon North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Essendon North 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 Essendon North, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
2021 count
2,050
% of total
67.6%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
2,050
67.6%
+4.6pp
Italian
2021 count
127
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
127
4.2%
-2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
126
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
126
4.2%
-3.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
64
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
64
2.1%
+0.5pp
Greek
2021 count
62
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
62
2.0%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
50
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
50
1.6%
-1.8pp
Spanish
2021 count
42
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
42
1.4%
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
40
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
40
1.3%
+0.5pp
Telugu
2021 count
38
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
38
1.3%
+0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
34
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
34
1.1%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+179
+4.6pp
Italian
-58
-2.0pp
Not stated
-108
-3.7pp
Mandarin
+15
+0.5pp
Greek
0
-0.1pp
Hindi
-51
-1.8pp
Spanish
+9
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
+15
+0.5pp
Telugu
+18
+0.6pp
Arabic
+6
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Essendon North. 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 | 2,050 | 67.6% | 68.0% | 1,871 | 63.0% | 64.5% | +179 | +4.6pp |
| Italian | 127 | 4.2% | 5.5% | 185 | 6.2% | 6.8% | -58 | -2.0pp |
| Not stated | 126 | 4.2% | 3.9% | 234 | 7.9% | 5.8% | -108 | -3.7pp |
| Mandarin | 64 | 2.1% | 1.7% | 49 | 1.6% | 1.8% | +15 | +0.5pp |
| Greek | 62 | 2.0% | 2.9% | 62 | 2.1% | 3.1% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 50 | 1.6% | 0.7% | 101 | 3.4% | 0.8% | -51 | -1.8pp |
| Spanish | 42 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 33 | 1.1% | 1.0% | +9 | +0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 40 | 1.3% | 2.4% | 25 | 0.8% | 2.3% | +15 | +0.5pp |
| Telugu | 38 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +18 | +0.6pp |
| Arabic | 34 | 1.1% | 1.5% | 28 | 0.9% | 1.5% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,032 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,972 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +60 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.