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 Brunswick (Vic.), accounting for 73.1% (18,152 people). This share was higher than Moreland (C) (61%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 9,363 people and 11.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Brunswick (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Brunswick (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Moreland (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brunswick (Vic.), with comparison markers for Moreland (C).
English
2021 count
18,152
% of total
73.1%
Change from 2016
+11.1pp
18,152
73.1%
+11.1pp
Greek
2021 count
1,124
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,124
4.5%
-1.0pp
Italian
2021 count
966
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
966
3.9%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
812
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
812
3.3%
-2.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
451
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
451
1.8%
-0.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
438
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
438
1.8%
-0.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
341
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
341
1.4%
-0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
245
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
245
1.0%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
222
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
222
0.9%
0.0pp
Turkish
2021 count
189
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
189
0.8%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+9,363
+11.1pp
Greek
+338
-1.0pp
Italian
+119
-2.1pp
Not stated
-18
-2.6pp
Mandarin
+119
-0.5pp
Arabic
+108
-0.5pp
Spanish
+132
-0.1pp
Nepali
+75
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
+99
0.0pp
Turkish
+104
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Brunswick (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moreland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Moreland (C)% | Count | % | Moreland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 18,152 | 73.1% | 61.0% | 8,789 | 62.0% | 56.0% | +9,363 | +11.1pp |
| Greek | 1,124 | 4.5% | 4.0% | 786 | 5.5% | 4.6% | +338 | -1.0pp |
| Italian | 966 | 3.9% | 5.8% | 847 | 6.0% | 7.9% | +119 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 812 | 3.3% | 4.5% | 830 | 5.9% | 5.8% | -18 | -2.6pp |
| Mandarin | 451 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 332 | 2.3% | 1.9% | +119 | -0.5pp |
| Arabic | 438 | 1.8% | 4.5% | 330 | 2.3% | 4.9% | +108 | -0.5pp |
| Spanish | 341 | 1.4% | 1.2% | 209 | 1.5% | 1.0% | +132 | -0.1pp |
| Nepali | 245 | 1.0% | 2.2% | 170 | 1.2% | 1.5% | +75 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 222 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 123 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +99 | 0.0pp |
| Turkish | 189 | 0.8% | 1.8% | 85 | 0.6% | 1.8% | +104 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 24,842 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,175 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,667 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.