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 Wellington (S), accounting for 87.3% (39,808 people). This share was higher than Regional Vic. (86.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,453 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wellington (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wellington (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 Wellington (S), with comparison markers for Regional Vic..
English
2021 count
39,808
% of total
87.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
39,808
87.3%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,032
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
4,032
8.8%
-0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
122
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
122
0.3%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
119
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
119
0.3%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
90
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
90
0.2%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
87
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
87
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
86
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
86
0.2%
-0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
84
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
84
0.2%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
74
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
74
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
67
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
67
0.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,453
+0.4pp
Not stated
+22
-0.5pp
Mandarin
+5
0.0pp
Tagalog
+28
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+25
0.0pp
Filipino
+32
+0.1pp
Italian
-34
-0.1pp
Punjabi
+19
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+34
+0.1pp
German
-5
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wellington (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 | 39,808 | 87.3% | 86.4% | 37,355 | 86.9% | 86.6% | +2,453 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 4,032 | 8.8% | 6.5% | 4,010 | 9.3% | 7.4% | +22 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 122 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 117 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 119 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 91 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 90 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 65 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 87 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 55 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +32 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 86 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 120 | 0.3% | 0.7% | -34 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 84 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 65 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +19 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 74 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 40 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +34 | +0.1pp |
| German | 67 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 72 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 45,618 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 42,979 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,639 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.