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 Oak Park, accounting for 62.3% (4,173 people). This share was higher than Moreland (C) (61%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,079 people, while its share fell by 34.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Oak Park - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Oak Park 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 Oak Park, with comparison markers for Moreland (C).
English
2021 count
4,173
% of total
62.3%
Change from 2016
-34.6pp
4,173
62.3%
-34.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
271
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
271
4.0%
+0.9pp
Nepali
2021 count
208
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-
208
3.1%
-
Italian
2021 count
202
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-
202
3.0%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
173
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-
173
2.6%
-
Turkish
2021 count
168
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-
168
2.5%
-
Arabic
2021 count
162
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-
162
2.4%
-
Greek
2021 count
112
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
112
1.7%
-
Spanish
2021 count
94
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
94
1.4%
-
Urdu
2021 count
87
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
87
1.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,079
-34.6pp
Not stated
+268
+0.9pp
Data table
Language used at home for Oak Park. 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 | 4,173 | 62.3% | 61.0% | 94 | 96.9% | 56.0% | +4,079 | -34.6pp |
| Not stated | 271 | 4.0% | 4.5% | 3 | 3.1% | 5.8% | +268 | +0.9pp |
| Nepali | 208 | 3.1% | 2.2% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Italian | 202 | 3.0% | 5.8% | - | - | 7.9% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 173 | 2.6% | 1.7% | - | - | 1.9% | - | - |
| Turkish | 168 | 2.5% | 1.8% | - | - | 1.8% | - | - |
| Arabic | 162 | 2.4% | 4.5% | - | - | 4.9% | - | - |
| Greek | 112 | 1.7% | 4.0% | - | - | 4.6% | - | - |
| Spanish | 94 | 1.4% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Urdu | 87 | 1.3% | 2.2% | - | - | 2.4% | - | - |
| Total | 6,702 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 97 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,605 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.