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 West, accounting for 69.1% (10,176 people). This share was higher than Moreland (C) (61%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,387 people and 7.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Brunswick West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Brunswick West 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 West, with comparison markers for Moreland (C).
English
2021 count
10,176
% of total
69.1%
Change from 2016
+7.1pp
10,176
69.1%
+7.1pp
Italian
2021 count
669
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
669
4.5%
-1.5pp
Greek
2021 count
650
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
650
4.4%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
505
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
505
3.4%
-2.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
287
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
287
1.9%
-0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
286
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
286
1.9%
-0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
269
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
269
1.8%
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
134
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
134
0.9%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
122
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
122
0.8%
+0.1pp
Turkish
2021 count
107
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
107
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,387
+7.1pp
Italian
-178
-1.5pp
Greek
-136
-1.1pp
Not stated
-325
-2.5pp
Mandarin
-45
-0.4pp
Arabic
-44
-0.4pp
Spanish
+60
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
+11
0.0pp
Cantonese
+25
+0.1pp
Turkish
+22
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Brunswick West. 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 | 10,176 | 69.1% | 61.0% | 8,789 | 62.0% | 56.0% | +1,387 | +7.1pp |
| Italian | 669 | 4.5% | 5.8% | 847 | 6.0% | 7.9% | -178 | -1.5pp |
| Greek | 650 | 4.4% | 4.0% | 786 | 5.5% | 4.6% | -136 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 505 | 3.4% | 4.5% | 830 | 5.9% | 5.8% | -325 | -2.5pp |
| Mandarin | 287 | 1.9% | 1.7% | 332 | 2.3% | 1.9% | -45 | -0.4pp |
| Arabic | 286 | 1.9% | 4.5% | 330 | 2.3% | 4.9% | -44 | -0.4pp |
| Spanish | 269 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 209 | 1.5% | 1.0% | +60 | +0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 134 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 123 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 122 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 97 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +25 | +0.1pp |
| Turkish | 107 | 0.7% | 1.8% | 85 | 0.6% | 1.8% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 14,719 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,175 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +544 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.