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 Surf Coast (S), accounting for 90.8% (34,184 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 7,615 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Surf Coast (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Surf Coast (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Vic. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Surf Coast (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
34,184
% of total
90.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
34,184
90.8%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,946
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,946
5.2%
-0.4pp
German
2021 count
172
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
172
0.5%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
147
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
147
0.4%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
139
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
139
0.4%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
132
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
132
0.4%
+0.2pp
Dutch
2021 count
79
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
79
0.2%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
79
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
79
0.2%
0.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
71
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
71
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
59
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
59
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7,615
+0.3pp
Not stated
+293
-0.4pp
German
+39
0.0pp
French
+66
+0.1pp
Italian
+3
-0.1pp
Spanish
+77
+0.2pp
Dutch
+19
0.0pp
Greek
+6
0.0pp
Portuguese
+25
0.0pp
Mandarin
+31
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Surf Coast (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Vic..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | % | Regional Vic.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 34,184 | 90.8% | 86.4% | 26,569 | 90.5% | 86.6% | +7,615 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,946 | 5.2% | 6.5% | 1,653 | 5.6% | 7.4% | +293 | -0.4pp |
| German | 172 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 133 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +39 | 0.0pp |
| French | 147 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 81 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +66 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 139 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 136 | 0.5% | 0.7% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 132 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 55 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +77 | +0.2pp |
| Dutch | 79 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 60 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +19 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 79 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 73 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 71 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 46 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 59 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 28 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +31 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 37,662 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,355 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,307 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.