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 Armadale (Vic.), accounting for 77.2% (7,214 people). This share was higher than Stonnington (C) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 570 people and 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Armadale (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Armadale (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Stonnington (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Armadale (Vic.), with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
English
2021 count
7,214
% of total
77.2%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
7,214
77.2%
+3.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
386
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
386
4.1%
-2.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
342
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
342
3.7%
+1.3pp
Greek
2021 count
210
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
210
2.2%
-0.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
111
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
111
1.2%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
81
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
81
0.9%
-0.2pp
French
2021 count
64
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
64
0.7%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
59
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
59
0.6%
-0.4pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
51
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
51
0.5%
+0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
50
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
50
0.5%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+570
+3.7pp
Not stated
-241
-2.8pp
Mandarin
+128
+1.3pp
Greek
-38
-0.5pp
Cantonese
+23
+0.2pp
Spanish
-14
-0.2pp
French
-15
-0.2pp
Italian
-33
-0.4pp
Vietnamese
+12
+0.1pp
Japanese
-21
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Armadale (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Stonnington (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Stonnington (C)% | Count | % | Stonnington (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 7,214 | 77.2% | 73.1% | 6,644 | 73.5% | 69.6% | +570 | +3.7pp |
| Not stated | 386 | 4.1% | 4.7% | 627 | 6.9% | 7.3% | -241 | -2.8pp |
| Mandarin | 342 | 3.7% | 4.6% | 214 | 2.4% | 4.9% | +128 | +1.3pp |
| Greek | 210 | 2.2% | 3.3% | 248 | 2.7% | 3.4% | -38 | -0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 111 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 88 | 1.0% | 1.4% | +23 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 81 | 0.9% | 1.2% | 95 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -14 | -0.2pp |
| French | 64 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 79 | 0.9% | 0.8% | -15 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 59 | 0.6% | 0.9% | 92 | 1.0% | 1.2% | -33 | -0.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 51 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 39 | 0.4% | 0.6% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 50 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 71 | 0.8% | 0.5% | -21 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 9,341 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,034 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +307 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.