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 Wangaratta (RC), accounting for 89% (26,531 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,618 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wangaratta (RC) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wangaratta (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 Wangaratta (RC), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
26,531
% of total
89.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
26,531
89.0%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,723
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
1,723
5.8%
-1.6pp
Italian
2021 count
414
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
414
1.4%
-0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
75
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
75
0.3%
+0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
69
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
69
0.2%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
67
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
67
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
64
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
64
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
64
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
64
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
55
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
55
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
49
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
49
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,618
+0.9pp
Not stated
-372
-1.6pp
Italian
-136
-0.5pp
Punjabi
+39
+0.2pp
Nepali
+44
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+17
0.0pp
Thai
+45
+0.1pp
Filipino
+36
+0.1pp
German
+2
0.0pp
Tagalog
+15
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wangaratta (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 | 26,531 | 89.0% | 86.4% | 24,913 | 88.1% | 86.6% | +1,618 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,723 | 5.8% | 6.5% | 2,095 | 7.4% | 7.4% | -372 | -1.6pp |
| Italian | 414 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 550 | 1.9% | 0.7% | -136 | -0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 75 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 36 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +39 | +0.2pp |
| Nepali | 69 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +44 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 67 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 50 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 64 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 19 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +45 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 64 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 28 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +36 | +0.1pp |
| German | 55 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 53 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 49 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 34 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 29,805 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,283 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,522 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.