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 Moorabool (S), accounting for 87.4% (32,863 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,701 people, while its share fell by 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Moorabool (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Moorabool (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moorabool (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
32,863
% of total
87.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
32,863
87.4%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,850
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,850
4.9%
-1.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
591
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
591
1.6%
+1.3pp
Maltese
2021 count
163
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
163
0.4%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
137
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
137
0.4%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
134
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
134
0.4%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
116
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
116
0.3%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
99
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
99
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
88
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
88
0.2%
0.0pp
Croatian
2021 count
82
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
82
0.2%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,701
-1.2pp
Not stated
-117
-1.3pp
Punjabi
+485
+1.3pp
Maltese
+21
0.0pp
Italian
-15
-0.1pp
Hindi
+89
+0.3pp
Spanish
+36
0.0pp
Greek
+13
0.0pp
Mandarin
+37
0.0pp
Croatian
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Moorabool (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 32,863 | 87.4% | 86.4% | 28,162 | 88.6% | 86.6% | +4,701 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,850 | 4.9% | 6.5% | 1,967 | 6.2% | 7.4% | -117 | -1.3pp |
| Punjabi | 591 | 1.6% | 0.5% | 106 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +485 | +1.3pp |
| Maltese | 163 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 142 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 137 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 152 | 0.5% | 0.7% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 134 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 45 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +89 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 116 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 80 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +36 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 99 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 86 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 88 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 51 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +37 | 0.0pp |
| Croatian | 82 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 76 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 37,622 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 31,782 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,840 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.