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 Northern Grampians (S), accounting for 86% (10,258 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 67 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Northern Grampians (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Northern Grampians (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 Northern Grampians (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
10,258
% of total
86.0%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
10,258
86.0%
-3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,040
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
1,040
8.7%
+1.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
117
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
117
1.0%
+0.6pp
Tagalog
2021 count
46
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
46
0.4%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
42
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
42
0.4%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
40
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
40
0.3%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
28
0.2%
+0.1pp
Dinka
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
26
0.2%
-
Dutch
2021 count
24
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.2%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
22
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-6
-3.9pp
Not stated
+229
+1.6pp
Mandarin
+67
+0.6pp
Tagalog
+26
+0.2pp
Filipino
+25
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+35
+0.3pp
Spanish
+20
+0.1pp
Dutch
-1
0.0pp
German
+7
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Northern Grampians (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 | 10,258 | 86.0% | 86.4% | 10,264 | 89.9% | 86.6% | -6 | -3.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,040 | 8.7% | 6.5% | 811 | 7.1% | 7.4% | +229 | +1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 117 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 50 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +67 | +0.6pp |
| Tagalog | 46 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +26 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 42 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +25 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 40 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.2% | +35 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 28 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Dinka | 26 | 0.2% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Dutch | 24 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| German | 22 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 11,923 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,423 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +500 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.