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 South Gippsland (S), accounting for 89.6% (27,388 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,876 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Gippsland (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South Gippsland (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 South Gippsland (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
27,388
% of total
89.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
27,388
89.6%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,008
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,008
6.6%
-1.1pp
Italian
2021 count
194
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
194
0.6%
-0.3pp
German
2021 count
115
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
115
0.4%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
70
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
70
0.2%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
63
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
63
0.2%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
61
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
61
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
60
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
60
0.2%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
50
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
50
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
43
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
43
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,876
+0.7pp
Not stated
-208
-1.1pp
Italian
-52
-0.3pp
German
+20
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+2
0.0pp
Dutch
-21
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+20
+0.1pp
Spanish
+34
+0.1pp
Greek
+15
+0.1pp
French
+22
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for South Gippsland (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 | 27,388 | 89.6% | 86.4% | 25,512 | 88.9% | 86.6% | +1,876 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 2,008 | 6.6% | 6.5% | 2,216 | 7.7% | 7.4% | -208 | -1.1pp |
| Italian | 194 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 246 | 0.9% | 0.7% | -52 | -0.3pp |
| German | 115 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 95 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 70 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 68 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 63 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 84 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 61 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 41 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 60 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 26 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +34 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 50 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| French | 43 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +22 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 30,581 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,697 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,884 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.