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 Towong (S), accounting for 88.6% (5,516 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 119 people, while its share fell by 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Towong (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Towong (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 Towong (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
5,516
% of total
88.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
5,516
88.6%
-2.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
531
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
531
8.5%
+1.2pp
German
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
23
0.4%
-0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
16
0.3%
+0.2pp
French
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.2%
0.0pp
Samoan
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.2%
-
Spanish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+119
-2.0pp
Not stated
+97
+1.2pp
German
-5
-0.1pp
Filipino
+11
+0.2pp
French
+9
+0.1pp
Tagalog
-1
0.0pp
Spanish
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Towong (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 | 5,516 | 88.6% | 86.4% | 5,397 | 90.6% | 86.6% | +119 | -2.0pp |
| Not stated | 531 | 8.5% | 6.5% | 434 | 7.3% | 7.4% | +97 | +1.2pp |
| German | 23 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 28 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Filipino | 16 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| French | 15 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 12 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Samoan | 12 | 0.2% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Spanish | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,224 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,960 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +264 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.