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 Ballan, accounting for 92.5% (3,129 people). This share was higher than Moorabool (S) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,079 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ballan - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ballan 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 Ballan, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
English
2021 count
3,129
% of total
92.5%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
3,129
92.5%
+3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
129
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
129
3.8%
-1.6pp
Maltese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
16
0.5%
-
Croatian
2021 count
14
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.4%
-
Hindi
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,079
+3.2pp
Not stated
+126
-1.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ballan. 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 | 3,129 | 92.5% | 87.4% | 50 | 89.3% | 88.6% | +3,079 | +3.2pp |
| Not stated | 129 | 3.8% | 4.9% | 3 | 5.4% | 6.2% | +126 | -1.6pp |
| Maltese | 16 | 0.5% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Croatian | 14 | 0.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Hindi | 10 | 0.3% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 3,384 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 56 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,328 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.