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 Maddingley, accounting for 80.1% (4,399 people). This share was lower than Moorabool (S) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,436 people, while its share fell by 6.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Maddingley - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Maddingley 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 Maddingley, with comparison markers for Moorabool (S).
English
2021 count
4,399
% of total
80.1%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
4,399
80.1%
-6.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
311
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
311
5.7%
+4.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
203
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
203
3.7%
-0.7pp
Hindi
2021 count
62
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
62
1.1%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
41
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
41
0.7%
-0.1pp
Samoan
2021 count
25
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
25
0.5%
+0.3pp
Luganda
2021 count
24
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
24
0.4%
-
Italian
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.4%
0.0pp
Urdu
2021 count
22
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
0.4%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
21
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
21
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,436
-6.3pp
Punjabi
+269
+4.5pp
Not stated
+51
-0.7pp
Hindi
+36
+0.3pp
Spanish
+15
-0.1pp
Samoan
+18
+0.3pp
Italian
+9
0.0pp
Urdu
+12
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+15
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+10
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Maddingley. 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 | 4,399 | 80.1% | 87.4% | 2,963 | 86.4% | 88.6% | +1,436 | -6.3pp |
| Punjabi | 311 | 5.7% | 1.6% | 42 | 1.2% | 0.3% | +269 | +4.5pp |
| Not stated | 203 | 3.7% | 4.9% | 152 | 4.4% | 6.2% | +51 | -0.7pp |
| Hindi | 62 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 26 | 0.8% | 0.1% | +36 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 41 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 26 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +15 | -0.1pp |
| Samoan | 25 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +18 | +0.3pp |
| Luganda | 24 | 0.4% | 0.1% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Italian | 23 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 14 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 22 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.0% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 21 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,493 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,428 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,065 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.