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 Mount Hawthorn, accounting for 82.7% (6,760 people). This share was higher than Vincent (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,826 people, while its share fell by 3.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Mount Hawthorn - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Mount Hawthorn in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Vincent (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Mount Hawthorn, with comparison markers for Vincent (C).

Mount Hawthorn
Vincent (C)

English

2021 count

6,760

% of total

82.7%

Change from 2016

-3.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

243

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Italian

2021 count

236

% of total

2.9%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Mandarin

2021 count

86

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

-

Greek

2021 count

84

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

-

Cantonese

2021 count

68

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-

Spanish

2021 count

60

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-

Vietnamese

2021 count

58

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-

Other Southern Asian Languages

2021 count

52

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-

Macedonian

2021 count

50

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for Mount Hawthorn. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Vincent (C).

Language used at home for Mount Hawthorn. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Vincent (C).
Language used at home for Mount Hawthorn. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Vincent (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Vincent (C)%Count%Vincent (C)%Countpp
English6,76082.7%75.0%93486.3%70.0%+5,826-3.6pp
Not stated2433.0%5.3%555.1%8.3%+188-2.1pp
Italian2362.9%3.0%252.3%4.2%+211+0.6pp
Mandarin861.1%2.2%--2.1%--
Greek841.0%0.7%--0.9%--
Cantonese680.8%1.1%--1.1%--
Spanish600.7%1.0%--1.0%--
Vietnamese580.7%1.8%--1.7%--
Other Southern Asian Languages520.6%0.2%--0.0%--
Macedonian500.6%0.6%--0.8%--
Total8,170100.0%100.0%1,082100.0%100.0%+7,0880.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.