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 Bacchus Marsh, accounting for 86.7% (6,750 people). This share was lower than Moorabool (S) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,116 people, while its share fell by 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bacchus Marsh - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bacchus Marsh in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moorabool (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bacchus Marsh, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
English
2021 count
6,750
% of total
86.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
6,750
86.7%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
383
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
383
4.9%
-1.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
176
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
176
2.3%
+1.9pp
Italian
2021 count
40
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
40
0.5%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
34
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
34
0.4%
+0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
26
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.3%
0.0pp
Urdu
2021 count
23
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
23
0.3%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
22
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
0.3%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
18
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.2%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,116
-1.2pp
Not stated
-36
-1.6pp
Punjabi
+149
+1.9pp
Italian
+8
0.0pp
Hindi
+24
+0.2pp
Greek
+4
0.0pp
Urdu
+20
+0.3pp
Spanish
+11
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+9
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bacchus Marsh. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moorabool (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Moorabool (S)% | Count | % | Moorabool (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,750 | 86.7% | 87.4% | 5,634 | 87.9% | 88.6% | +1,116 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 383 | 4.9% | 4.9% | 419 | 6.5% | 6.2% | -36 | -1.6pp |
| Punjabi | 176 | 2.3% | 1.6% | 27 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +149 | +1.9pp |
| Italian | 40 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 32 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 34 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 26 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 22 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 23 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +20 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 22 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 18 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 7,784 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,410 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,374 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.