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 Mount Alexander (S), accounting for 86.9% (17,612 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,670 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mount Alexander (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mount Alexander (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mount Alexander (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
17,612
% of total
86.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
17,612
86.9%
+1.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,980
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
1,980
9.8%
-1.8pp
German
2021 count
68
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
68
0.3%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
55
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
55
0.3%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
48
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
48
0.2%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
47
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
47
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
41
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
41
0.2%
-0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
36
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
36
0.2%
0.0pp
Japanese
2021 count
27
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.1%
0.0pp
Dinka
2021 count
25
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,670
+1.9pp
Not stated
-203
-1.8pp
German
+4
0.0pp
Greek
+20
+0.1pp
Spanish
+14
0.0pp
French
+2
0.0pp
Italian
-8
-0.1pp
Dutch
-3
0.0pp
Japanese
+2
0.0pp
Dinka
+8
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mount Alexander (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 17,612 | 86.9% | 86.4% | 15,942 | 85.0% | 86.6% | +1,670 | +1.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,980 | 9.8% | 6.5% | 2,183 | 11.6% | 7.4% | -203 | -1.8pp |
| German | 68 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 64 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 55 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 48 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 34 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| French | 47 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 45 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 41 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 49 | 0.3% | 0.7% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Dutch | 36 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 39 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 27 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Dinka | 25 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 20,275 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18,755 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,520 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.