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 Prahran, accounting for 75.6% (9,209 people). This share was higher than Stonnington (C) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 346 people and 7.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Prahran - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Prahran 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 Prahran, with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
English
2021 count
9,209
% of total
75.6%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
9,209
75.6%
+7.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
632
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
632
5.2%
-5.4pp
Greek
2021 count
604
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
604
5.0%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
232
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
232
1.9%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
183
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
183
1.5%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
105
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
105
0.9%
-0.2pp
French
2021 count
100
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
100
0.8%
-0.4pp
Russian
2021 count
93
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
93
0.8%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
93
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
93
0.8%
-0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
63
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
63
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+346
+7.2pp
Not stated
-739
-5.4pp
Greek
-41
0.0pp
Mandarin
-33
-0.1pp
Spanish
+40
+0.4pp
Italian
-33
-0.2pp
French
-59
-0.4pp
Russian
-25
-0.1pp
Cantonese
-32
-0.2pp
Hindi
-4
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Prahran. 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 | 9,209 | 75.6% | 73.1% | 8,863 | 68.4% | 69.6% | +346 | +7.2pp |
| Not stated | 632 | 5.2% | 4.7% | 1,371 | 10.6% | 7.3% | -739 | -5.4pp |
| Greek | 604 | 5.0% | 3.3% | 645 | 5.0% | 3.4% | -41 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 232 | 1.9% | 4.6% | 265 | 2.0% | 4.9% | -33 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 183 | 1.5% | 1.2% | 143 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +40 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 105 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 138 | 1.1% | 1.2% | -33 | -0.2pp |
| French | 100 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 159 | 1.2% | 0.8% | -59 | -0.4pp |
| Russian | 93 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 118 | 0.9% | 0.8% | -25 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 93 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 125 | 1.0% | 1.4% | -32 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 63 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 67 | 0.5% | 0.8% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 12,177 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,952 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -775 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.