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 South Yarra (part), accounting for 68.8% (17,228 people). This share was lower than Stonnington (C) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,180 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Yarra (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South Yarra (part) 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 South Yarra (part), with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
English
2021 count
17,228
% of total
68.8%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
17,228
68.8%
+4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,656
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
1,656
6.6%
-3.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,333
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,333
5.3%
-1.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
502
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
502
2.0%
+0.6pp
Cantonese
2021 count
400
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
400
1.6%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
364
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
364
1.5%
0.0pp
Russian
2021 count
286
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
286
1.1%
-0.2pp
French
2021 count
273
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
273
1.1%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
224
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
224
0.9%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
195
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
195
0.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,180
+4.9pp
Not stated
-876
-3.5pp
Mandarin
-251
-1.0pp
Spanish
+157
+0.6pp
Cantonese
-8
0.0pp
Greek
-9
0.0pp
Russian
-53
-0.2pp
French
-24
-0.1pp
Italian
-49
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
+15
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for South Yarra (part). 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 | 17,228 | 68.8% | 73.1% | 16,048 | 63.9% | 69.6% | +1,180 | +4.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,656 | 6.6% | 4.7% | 2,532 | 10.1% | 7.3% | -876 | -3.5pp |
| Mandarin | 1,333 | 5.3% | 4.6% | 1,584 | 6.3% | 4.9% | -251 | -1.0pp |
| Spanish | 502 | 2.0% | 1.2% | 345 | 1.4% | 0.9% | +157 | +0.6pp |
| Cantonese | 400 | 1.6% | 1.4% | 408 | 1.6% | 1.4% | -8 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 364 | 1.5% | 3.3% | 373 | 1.5% | 3.4% | -9 | 0.0pp |
| Russian | 286 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 339 | 1.3% | 0.8% | -53 | -0.2pp |
| French | 273 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 297 | 1.2% | 0.8% | -24 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 224 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 273 | 1.1% | 1.2% | -49 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 195 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 180 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 25,040 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 25,130 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -90 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.