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 Moonee Ponds, accounting for 72.6% (11,741 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,813 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Moonee Ponds - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Moonee Ponds 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 Moonee Ponds, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
2021 count
11,741
% of total
72.6%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
11,741
72.6%
+2.8pp
Italian
2021 count
847
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
847
5.2%
-2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
507
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
507
3.1%
-2.0pp
Greek
2021 count
423
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
423
2.6%
-0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
292
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
292
1.8%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
238
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
238
1.5%
+0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
191
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
191
1.2%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
175
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
175
1.1%
+0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
151
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
151
0.9%
+0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
144
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
144
0.9%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,813
+2.8pp
Italian
-176
-2.0pp
Not stated
-223
-2.0pp
Greek
-27
-0.6pp
Mandarin
+42
0.0pp
Spanish
+76
+0.4pp
Cantonese
+47
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+40
+0.2pp
Nepali
+66
+0.3pp
Hindi
+3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Moonee Ponds. 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 | 11,741 | 72.6% | 68.0% | 9,928 | 69.8% | 64.5% | +1,813 | +2.8pp |
| Italian | 847 | 5.2% | 5.5% | 1,023 | 7.2% | 6.8% | -176 | -2.0pp |
| Not stated | 507 | 3.1% | 3.9% | 730 | 5.1% | 5.8% | -223 | -2.0pp |
| Greek | 423 | 2.6% | 2.9% | 450 | 3.2% | 3.1% | -27 | -0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 292 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 250 | 1.8% | 1.8% | +42 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 238 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 162 | 1.1% | 1.0% | +76 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 191 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 144 | 1.0% | 1.6% | +47 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 175 | 1.1% | 2.4% | 135 | 0.9% | 2.3% | +40 | +0.2pp |
| Nepali | 151 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 85 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +66 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 144 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 141 | 1.0% | 0.8% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 16,183 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,222 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,961 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.