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 Warrnambool (C), accounting for 89.1% (31,517 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,700 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Warrnambool (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Warrnambool (C) 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 Warrnambool (C), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
31,517
% of total
89.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
31,517
89.1%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,993
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,993
5.6%
-1.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
316
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
316
0.9%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
127
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
127
0.4%
+0.4pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
100
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
100
0.3%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
90
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
90
0.3%
+0.2pp
Thai
2021 count
76
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
76
0.2%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
58
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
58
0.2%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
58
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
58
0.2%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
57
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
57
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,700
+0.6pp
Not stated
-390
-1.5pp
Mandarin
-17
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+113
+0.4pp
Sinhalese
+33
+0.1pp
Filipino
+53
+0.2pp
Thai
+33
+0.1pp
Arabic
-10
0.0pp
Punjabi
+40
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+35
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Warrnambool (C). 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 | 31,517 | 89.1% | 86.4% | 29,817 | 88.5% | 86.6% | +1,700 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,993 | 5.6% | 6.5% | 2,383 | 7.1% | 7.4% | -390 | -1.5pp |
| Mandarin | 316 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 333 | 1.0% | 0.5% | -17 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 127 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 14 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +113 | +0.4pp |
| Sinhalese | 100 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 67 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 90 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 37 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +53 | +0.2pp |
| Thai | 76 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 43 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 58 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 68 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -10 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 58 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +40 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 57 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 22 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +35 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 35,374 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,686 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,688 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.