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 West, accounting for 75.3% (1,168 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 67 people, while its share fell by 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Essendon West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Essendon 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 Essendon West, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
2021 count
1,168
% of total
75.3%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,168
75.3%
-1.3pp
Italian
2021 count
71
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
71
4.6%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
42
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
42
2.7%
-1.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
37
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
37
2.4%
+1.1pp
Greek
2021 count
34
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
34
2.2%
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
30
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
30
1.9%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
22
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
22
1.4%
-0.9pp
Spanish
2021 count
18
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
18
1.2%
+0.7pp
Cantonese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.8%
0.0pp
Maltese
2021 count
10
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+67
-1.3pp
Italian
+3
-0.1pp
Not stated
-15
-1.3pp
Arabic
+19
+1.1pp
Greek
+10
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
+8
+0.4pp
Mandarin
-11
-0.9pp
Spanish
+11
+0.7pp
Cantonese
+2
0.0pp
Maltese
+3
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Essendon 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 | 1,168 | 75.3% | 68.0% | 1,101 | 76.6% | 64.5% | +67 | -1.3pp |
| Italian | 71 | 4.6% | 5.5% | 68 | 4.7% | 6.8% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 42 | 2.7% | 3.9% | 57 | 4.0% | 5.8% | -15 | -1.3pp |
| Arabic | 37 | 2.4% | 1.5% | 18 | 1.3% | 1.5% | +19 | +1.1pp |
| Greek | 34 | 2.2% | 2.9% | 24 | 1.7% | 3.1% | +10 | +0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 30 | 1.9% | 2.4% | 22 | 1.5% | 2.3% | +8 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 22 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 33 | 2.3% | 1.8% | -11 | -0.9pp |
| Spanish | 18 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 7 | 0.5% | 1.0% | +11 | +0.7pp |
| Cantonese | 13 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 11 | 0.8% | 1.6% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Maltese | 10 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 1,551 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,437 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +114 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.