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 Niddrie, accounting for 75.7% (4,458 people). This share was higher than Moonee Valley (C) (68%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,325 people, while its share fell by 14.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Niddrie - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Niddrie 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 Niddrie, with comparison markers for Moonee Valley (C).
English
2021 count
4,458
% of total
75.7%
Change from 2016
-14.2pp
4,458
75.7%
-14.2pp
Italian
2021 count
264
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-
264
4.5%
-
Not stated
2021 count
198
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
198
3.4%
-4.7pp
Greek
2021 count
184
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-
184
3.1%
-
Croatian
2021 count
83
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
83
1.4%
-
Arabic
2021 count
83
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
83
1.4%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
65
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
65
1.1%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
64
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
64
1.1%
-
Spanish
2021 count
62
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
62
1.1%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
50
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
50
0.8%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,325
-14.2pp
Not stated
+186
-4.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Niddrie. 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 | 4,458 | 75.7% | 68.0% | 133 | 89.9% | 64.5% | +4,325 | -14.2pp |
| Italian | 264 | 4.5% | 5.5% | - | - | 6.8% | - | - |
| Not stated | 198 | 3.4% | 3.9% | 12 | 8.1% | 5.8% | +186 | -4.7pp |
| Greek | 184 | 3.1% | 2.9% | - | - | 3.1% | - | - |
| Croatian | 83 | 1.4% | 0.8% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Arabic | 83 | 1.4% | 1.5% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 65 | 1.1% | 2.4% | - | - | 2.3% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 64 | 1.1% | 1.7% | - | - | 1.8% | - | - |
| Spanish | 62 | 1.1% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 50 | 0.8% | 1.5% | - | - | 1.6% | - | - |
| Total | 5,891 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 148 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,743 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.