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 Fawkner (part), accounting for 35.1% (5,011 people). This share was lower than Moreland (C) (61%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 655 people and 4 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Fawkner (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Fawkner (part) 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 Fawkner (part), with comparison markers for Moreland (C).

Fawkner (part)
Moreland (C)

English

2021 count

5,011

% of total

35.1%

Change from 2016

+4.0pp

Urdu

2021 count

1,949

% of total

13.7%

Change from 2016

+1.3pp

Italian

2021 count

1,438

% of total

10.1%

Change from 2016

-3.7pp

Arabic

2021 count

1,253

% of total

8.8%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

960

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Nepali

2021 count

469

% of total

3.3%

Change from 2016

+2.0pp

Greek

2021 count

435

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Bengali

2021 count

401

% of total

2.8%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Turkish

2021 count

339

% of total

2.4%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Pashto

2021 count

190

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

Language used at home for Fawkner (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moreland (C).

Language used at home for Fawkner (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moreland (C).
Language used at home for Fawkner (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Moreland (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Moreland (C)%Count%Moreland (C)%Countpp
English5,01135.1%61.0%4,35631.1%56.0%+655+4.0pp
Urdu1,94913.7%2.2%1,74212.4%2.4%+207+1.3pp
Italian1,43810.1%5.8%1,93813.8%7.9%-500-3.7pp
Arabic1,2538.8%4.5%1,2929.2%4.9%-39-0.4pp
Not stated9606.7%4.5%8155.8%5.8%+145+0.9pp
Nepali4693.3%2.2%1761.3%1.5%+293+2.0pp
Greek4353.0%4.0%5774.1%4.6%-142-1.1pp
Bengali4012.8%0.4%4012.9%0.4%0-0.1pp
Turkish3392.4%1.8%3622.6%1.8%-23-0.2pp
Pashto1901.3%0.2%1581.1%0.2%+32+0.2pp
Total14,275100.0%100.0%14,020100.0%100.0%+2550.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.