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 Swan Hill (RC), accounting for 74.9% (16,030 people). This share was lower than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Malay, which increased by 396 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Swan Hill (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Swan Hill (RC) 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 Swan Hill (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
16,030
% of total
74.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
16,030
74.9%
-1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,870
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
1,870
8.7%
-3.5pp
Malay
2021 count
435
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
435
2.0%
+1.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
417
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
417
1.9%
+1.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
408
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
408
1.9%
+0.8pp
Italian
2021 count
319
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
319
1.5%
-0.4pp
Tongan
2021 count
271
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
271
1.3%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
215
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
215
1.0%
+0.2pp
Thai
2021 count
129
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
129
0.6%
+0.4pp
Tagalog
2021 count
80
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
80
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+320
-1.5pp
Not stated
-636
-3.5pp
Malay
+396
+1.8pp
Mandarin
+236
+1.0pp
Vietnamese
+191
+0.8pp
Italian
-74
-0.4pp
Tongan
+18
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+41
+0.2pp
Thai
+78
+0.4pp
Tagalog
+30
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Swan Hill (RC). 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 | 16,030 | 74.9% | 86.4% | 15,710 | 76.4% | 86.6% | +320 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,870 | 8.7% | 6.5% | 2,506 | 12.2% | 7.4% | -636 | -3.5pp |
| Malay | 435 | 2.0% | 0.1% | 39 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +396 | +1.8pp |
| Mandarin | 417 | 1.9% | 0.6% | 181 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +236 | +1.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 408 | 1.9% | 0.2% | 217 | 1.1% | 0.1% | +191 | +0.8pp |
| Italian | 319 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 393 | 1.9% | 0.7% | -74 | -0.4pp |
| Tongan | 271 | 1.3% | 0.0% | 253 | 1.2% | 0.0% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 215 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 174 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +41 | +0.2pp |
| Thai | 129 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 51 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +78 | +0.4pp |
| Tagalog | 80 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 50 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +30 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 21,405 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,550 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +855 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.