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 Darley, accounting for 89% (8,172 people). This share was higher than Moorabool (S) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 8,160 people, while its share fell by 11 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Darley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Darley 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 Darley, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
English
2021 count
8,172
% of total
89.0%
Change from 2016
-11.0pp
8,172
89.0%
-11.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
324
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-
324
3.5%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
94
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
94
1.0%
-
Maltese
2021 count
42
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
42
0.5%
-
Greek
2021 count
37
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
37
0.4%
-
Italian
2021 count
31
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
31
0.3%
-
Telugu
2021 count
29
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
29
0.3%
-
Hindi
2021 count
29
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
29
0.3%
-
Spanish
2021 count
27
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
27
0.3%
-
Croatian
2021 count
26
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
26
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+8,160
-11.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Darley. 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 | 8,172 | 89.0% | 87.4% | 12 | 100.0% | 88.6% | +8,160 | -11.0pp |
| Not stated | 324 | 3.5% | 4.9% | - | - | 6.2% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 94 | 1.0% | 1.6% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Maltese | 42 | 0.5% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Greek | 37 | 0.4% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Italian | 31 | 0.3% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Telugu | 29 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Hindi | 29 | 0.3% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Spanish | 27 | 0.3% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Croatian | 26 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 9,186 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,174 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.