Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Nillumbik (S), accounting for 87.7% (55,147 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,985 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Nillumbik (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Nillumbik (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Nillumbik (S), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
Not stated
Italian
Mandarin
Greek
Persian (excluding Dari)
German
Macedonian
Arabic
Spanish
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,985
+0.9pp
Not stated
-765
-1.3pp
Italian
-265
-0.4pp
Mandarin
+198
+0.3pp
Greek
-14
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+195
+0.3pp
German
-43
-0.1pp
Macedonian
-37
-0.1pp
Arabic
+75
+0.1pp
Spanish
+66
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Nillumbik (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 55,147 | 87.7% | 61.1% | 53,162 | 86.8% | 62.0% | +1,985 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,712 | 2.7% | 4.8% | 2,477 | 4.0% | 5.6% | -765 | -1.3pp |
| Italian | 795 | 1.3% | 1.7% | 1,060 | 1.7% | 2.3% | -265 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 734 | 1.2% | 4.3% | 536 | 0.9% | 4.1% | +198 | +0.3pp |
| Greek | 538 | 0.9% | 2.1% | 552 | 0.9% | 2.4% | -14 | 0.0pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 314 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 119 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +195 | +0.3pp |
| German | 253 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 296 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -43 | -0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 243 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 280 | 0.5% | 0.6% | -37 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 239 | 0.4% | 1.8% | 164 | 0.3% | 1.7% | +75 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 223 | 0.4% | 0.8% | 157 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +66 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 62,883 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 61,261 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,622 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.