Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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, accounting for 72.8% (15,466 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 912 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Essendon - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Essendon 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, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
Italian
Not stated
Greek
Mandarin
Vietnamese
Arabic
Nepali
Spanish
Cantonese
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+912
+2.1pp
Italian
-119
-0.7pp
Not stated
-421
-2.1pp
Greek
-26
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+31
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+79
+0.3pp
Arabic
+70
+0.3pp
Nepali
+84
+0.4pp
Spanish
+46
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+7
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Essendon. 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 | 15,466 | 72.8% | 68.0% | 14,554 | 70.7% | 64.5% | +912 | +2.1pp |
| Italian | 906 | 4.3% | 5.5% | 1,025 | 5.0% | 6.8% | -119 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 737 | 3.5% | 3.9% | 1,158 | 5.6% | 5.8% | -421 | -2.1pp |
| Greek | 504 | 2.4% | 2.9% | 530 | 2.6% | 3.1% | -26 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 366 | 1.7% | 1.7% | 335 | 1.6% | 1.8% | +31 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 298 | 1.4% | 2.4% | 219 | 1.1% | 2.3% | +79 | +0.3pp |
| Arabic | 266 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 196 | 1.0% | 1.5% | +70 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 254 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 170 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +84 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 220 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 174 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +46 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 206 | 1.0% | 1.5% | 199 | 1.0% | 1.6% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 21,231 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,587 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +644 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.