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 Southern Grampians (S), accounting for 91.2% (15,109 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 507 people, while its share fell by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Southern Grampians (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Southern 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 Southern Grampians (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
15,109
% of total
91.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
15,109
91.2%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
974
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
974
5.9%
+0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
52
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
52
0.3%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
43
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
43
0.3%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
38
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.2%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
31
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
23
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.1%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
18
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.1%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.1%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
14
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+507
-0.6pp
Not stated
+62
+0.2pp
Malayalam
+19
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+9
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+8
0.0pp
German
+3
0.0pp
Thai
+8
0.0pp
Hindi
+8
0.0pp
Filipino
-7
0.0pp
Italian
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Southern 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 | 15,109 | 91.2% | 86.4% | 14,602 | 91.8% | 86.6% | +507 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 974 | 5.9% | 6.5% | 912 | 5.7% | 7.4% | +62 | +0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 52 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 33 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 43 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 34 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 38 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 30 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| German | 31 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 28 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 23 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 18 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 15 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 22 | 0.1% | 0.1% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 14 | 0.1% | 0.5% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.7% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 16,569 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,910 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +659 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.