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 Whittlesea (C), accounting for 50.2% (115,115 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 14,120 people, while its share fell by 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Whittlesea (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Whittlesea (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Whittlesea (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
115,115
% of total
50.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
115,115
50.2%
-0.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
11,908
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
11,908
5.2%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
10,833
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10,833
4.7%
-0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
9,913
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
9,913
4.3%
-0.8pp
Punjabi
2021 count
9,898
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
9,898
4.3%
+1.1pp
Italian
2021 count
8,320
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
8,320
3.6%
-1.4pp
Greek
2021 count
7,216
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
7,216
3.1%
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
5,274
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
5,274
2.3%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
5,097
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
5,097
2.2%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
4,684
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
4,684
2.0%
+0.2pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+14,120
-0.9pp
Arabic
+2,001
+0.2pp
Not stated
+1,310
-0.1pp
Macedonian
-206
-0.8pp
Punjabi
+3,525
+1.1pp
Italian
-1,500
-1.4pp
Greek
-82
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
+587
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+525
-0.1pp
Hindi
+1,187
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Whittlesea (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 115,115 | 50.2% | 61.1% | 100,995 | 51.1% | 62.0% | +14,120 | -0.9pp |
| Arabic | 11,908 | 5.2% | 1.8% | 9,907 | 5.0% | 1.7% | +2,001 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 10,833 | 4.7% | 4.8% | 9,523 | 4.8% | 5.6% | +1,310 | -0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 9,913 | 4.3% | 0.6% | 10,119 | 5.1% | 0.6% | -206 | -0.8pp |
| Punjabi | 9,898 | 4.3% | 2.0% | 6,373 | 3.2% | 1.2% | +3,525 | +1.1pp |
| Italian | 8,320 | 3.6% | 1.7% | 9,820 | 5.0% | 2.3% | -1,500 | -1.4pp |
| Greek | 7,216 | 3.1% | 2.1% | 7,298 | 3.7% | 2.4% | -82 | -0.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 5,274 | 2.3% | 2.3% | 4,687 | 2.4% | 2.3% | +587 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 5,097 | 2.2% | 4.3% | 4,572 | 2.3% | 4.1% | +525 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 4,684 | 2.0% | 1.3% | 3,497 | 1.8% | 1.1% | +1,187 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 229,361 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 197,467 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +31,894 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.