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 Keilor East (part), accounting for 63.3% (9,538 people). This share was lower than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 868 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Keilor East (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Keilor East (part) 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 Keilor East (part), with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
2021 count
9,538
% of total
63.3%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
9,538
63.3%
+3.6pp
Italian
2021 count
1,279
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,279
8.5%
-2.1pp
Greek
2021 count
739
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
739
4.9%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
518
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
518
3.4%
-1.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
440
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
440
2.9%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
297
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
297
2.0%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
232
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
232
1.5%
+0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
230
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
230
1.5%
-0.4pp
Croatian
2021 count
177
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
177
1.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
176
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
176
1.2%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+868
+3.6pp
Italian
-259
-2.1pp
Greek
-15
-0.3pp
Not stated
-203
-1.6pp
Vietnamese
+14
0.0pp
Arabic
+28
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+67
+0.4pp
Cantonese
-41
-0.4pp
Croatian
+14
+0.1pp
Spanish
+48
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Keilor East (part). 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 | 9,538 | 63.3% | 68.0% | 8,670 | 59.7% | 64.5% | +868 | +3.6pp |
| Italian | 1,279 | 8.5% | 5.5% | 1,538 | 10.6% | 6.8% | -259 | -2.1pp |
| Greek | 739 | 4.9% | 2.9% | 754 | 5.2% | 3.1% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 518 | 3.4% | 3.9% | 721 | 5.0% | 5.8% | -203 | -1.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 440 | 2.9% | 2.4% | 426 | 2.9% | 2.3% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 297 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 269 | 1.9% | 1.5% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 232 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 165 | 1.1% | 1.8% | +67 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 230 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 271 | 1.9% | 1.6% | -41 | -0.4pp |
| Croatian | 177 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 163 | 1.1% | 0.8% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 176 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 128 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +48 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 15,063 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,513 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +550 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.