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 Bundoora (Vic.) (part), accounting for 53.5% (15,003 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 612 people and 3.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bundoora (Vic.) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bundoora (Vic.) (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bundoora (Vic.) (part), with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
English
2021 count
15,003
% of total
53.5%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
15,003
53.5%
+3.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
2,718
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
2,718
9.7%
-1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,293
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,293
4.6%
-0.7pp
Greek
2021 count
1,039
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,039
3.7%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
975
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
975
3.5%
-0.6pp
Macedonian
2021 count
893
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
893
3.2%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
726
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
726
2.6%
-0.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
584
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
584
2.1%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
497
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
497
1.8%
-0.1pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
397
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
397
1.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+612
+3.3pp
Mandarin
-447
-1.4pp
Not stated
-229
-0.7pp
Greek
-29
0.0pp
Italian
-210
-0.6pp
Macedonian
-60
-0.1pp
Arabic
-171
-0.5pp
Cantonese
-41
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
-48
-0.1pp
Sinhalese
+46
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bundoora (Vic.) (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Whittlesea (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | % | Whittlesea (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 15,003 | 53.5% | 50.2% | 14,391 | 50.2% | 51.1% | +612 | +3.3pp |
| Mandarin | 2,718 | 9.7% | 2.2% | 3,165 | 11.1% | 2.3% | -447 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,293 | 4.6% | 4.7% | 1,522 | 5.3% | 4.8% | -229 | -0.7pp |
| Greek | 1,039 | 3.7% | 3.1% | 1,068 | 3.7% | 3.7% | -29 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 975 | 3.5% | 3.6% | 1,185 | 4.1% | 5.0% | -210 | -0.6pp |
| Macedonian | 893 | 3.2% | 4.3% | 953 | 3.3% | 5.1% | -60 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 726 | 2.6% | 5.2% | 897 | 3.1% | 5.0% | -171 | -0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 584 | 2.1% | 0.8% | 625 | 2.2% | 0.8% | -41 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 497 | 1.8% | 2.3% | 545 | 1.9% | 2.4% | -48 | -0.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 397 | 1.4% | 1.1% | 351 | 1.2% | 1.0% | +46 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 28,059 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,639 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -580 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.