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 Toorak, accounting for 74.2% (9,489 people). This share was higher than Stonnington (C) (73.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 232 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Toorak - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Toorak 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 Toorak, with comparison markers for Stonnington (C).
English
2021 count
9,489
% of total
74.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
9,489
74.2%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
815
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
815
6.4%
+1.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
768
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
768
6.0%
-1.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
198
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
198
1.5%
-0.3pp
Greek
2021 count
196
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
196
1.5%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
117
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
117
0.9%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
111
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
111
0.9%
-0.5pp
French
2021 count
78
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
78
0.6%
-0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
71
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
71
0.6%
-0.1pp
Russian
2021 count
60
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
60
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-15
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+232
+1.9pp
Not stated
-177
-1.3pp
Cantonese
-29
-0.3pp
Greek
+28
+0.2pp
Spanish
+25
+0.2pp
Italian
-70
-0.5pp
French
-34
-0.3pp
Hindi
-22
-0.1pp
Russian
-14
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Toorak. 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 | 9,489 | 74.2% | 73.1% | 9,504 | 73.8% | 69.6% | -15 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 815 | 6.4% | 4.6% | 583 | 4.5% | 4.9% | +232 | +1.9pp |
| Not stated | 768 | 6.0% | 4.7% | 945 | 7.3% | 7.3% | -177 | -1.3pp |
| Cantonese | 198 | 1.5% | 1.4% | 227 | 1.8% | 1.4% | -29 | -0.3pp |
| Greek | 196 | 1.5% | 3.3% | 168 | 1.3% | 3.4% | +28 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 117 | 0.9% | 1.2% | 92 | 0.7% | 0.9% | +25 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 111 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 181 | 1.4% | 1.2% | -70 | -0.5pp |
| French | 78 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 112 | 0.9% | 0.8% | -34 | -0.3pp |
| Hindi | 71 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 93 | 0.7% | 0.8% | -22 | -0.1pp |
| Russian | 60 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 74 | 0.6% | 0.8% | -14 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 12,792 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,873 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -81 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.