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 Kooyong, accounting for 83.5% (694 people). This share was higher than Stonnington (C) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 43 people and 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kooyong - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Kooyong 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 Kooyong, with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
English
2021 count
694
% of total
83.5%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
694
83.5%
+3.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
41
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
41
4.9%
+1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
27
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
27
3.2%
-2.6pp
Cantonese
2021 count
17
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
17
2.0%
-0.7pp
Russian
2021 count
10
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
1.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+43
+3.5pp
Mandarin
+10
+1.1pp
Not stated
-20
-2.6pp
Cantonese
-5
-0.7pp
Russian
+1
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Kooyong. 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 | 694 | 83.5% | 73.1% | 651 | 80.0% | 69.6% | +43 | +3.5pp |
| Mandarin | 41 | 4.9% | 4.6% | 31 | 3.8% | 4.9% | +10 | +1.1pp |
| Not stated | 27 | 3.2% | 4.7% | 47 | 5.8% | 7.3% | -20 | -2.6pp |
| Cantonese | 17 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 22 | 2.7% | 1.4% | -5 | -0.7pp |
| Russian | 10 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 9 | 1.1% | 0.8% | +1 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 831 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 814 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +17 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.