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 Stonnington (C), accounting for 73.1% (76,544 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,328 people and 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Stonnington (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Stonnington (C) 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 Stonnington (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
76,544
% of total
73.1%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
76,544
73.1%
+3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,953
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
4,953
4.7%
-2.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
4,840
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
4,840
4.6%
-0.3pp
Greek
2021 count
3,418
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,418
3.3%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,449
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,449
1.4%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
1,237
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,237
1.2%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
929
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
929
0.9%
-0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
767
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
767
0.7%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
718
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
718
0.7%
-0.1pp
Russian
2021 count
714
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
714
0.7%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,328
+3.5pp
Not stated
-2,595
-2.6pp
Mandarin
-196
-0.3pp
Greek
-101
-0.1pp
Cantonese
-45
0.0pp
Spanish
+305
+0.3pp
Italian
-271
-0.3pp
Hindi
-107
-0.1pp
French
-127
-0.1pp
Russian
-80
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Stonnington (C). 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 | 76,544 | 73.1% | 61.1% | 72,216 | 69.6% | 62.0% | +4,328 | +3.5pp |
| Not stated | 4,953 | 4.7% | 4.8% | 7,548 | 7.3% | 5.6% | -2,595 | -2.6pp |
| Mandarin | 4,840 | 4.6% | 4.3% | 5,036 | 4.9% | 4.1% | -196 | -0.3pp |
| Greek | 3,418 | 3.3% | 2.1% | 3,519 | 3.4% | 2.4% | -101 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 1,449 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 1,494 | 1.4% | 1.7% | -45 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 1,237 | 1.2% | 0.8% | 932 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +305 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 929 | 0.9% | 1.7% | 1,200 | 1.2% | 2.3% | -271 | -0.3pp |
| Hindi | 767 | 0.7% | 1.3% | 874 | 0.8% | 1.1% | -107 | -0.1pp |
| French | 718 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 845 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -127 | -0.1pp |
| Russian | 714 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 794 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -80 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 104,645 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 103,799 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +846 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.