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 Donnybrook (Vic.), accounting for 35.7% (751 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 636 people, while its share fell by 31.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Donnybrook (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Donnybrook (Vic.) 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 Donnybrook (Vic.), with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
English
2021 count
751
% of total
35.7%
Change from 2016
-31.6pp
751
35.7%
-31.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
450
% of total
21.4%
Change from 2016
-
450
21.4%
-
Not stated
2021 count
242
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
242
11.5%
+1.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
99
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-
99
4.7%
-
Malayalam
2021 count
54
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-
54
2.6%
-
Filipino
2021 count
39
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-
39
1.9%
-
Sinhalese
2021 count
33
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-
33
1.6%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
31
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
31
1.5%
-
Urdu
2021 count
30
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
30
1.4%
-
Telugu
2021 count
26
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
26
1.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+636
-31.6pp
Not stated
+224
+1.0pp
Arabic
+15
-4.6pp
Italian
+2
-10.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Donnybrook (Vic.). 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 | 751 | 35.7% | 50.2% | 115 | 67.3% | 51.1% | +636 | -31.6pp |
| Punjabi | 450 | 21.4% | 4.3% | - | - | 3.2% | - | - |
| Not stated | 242 | 11.5% | 4.7% | 18 | 10.5% | 4.8% | +224 | +1.0pp |
| Hindi | 99 | 4.7% | 2.0% | - | - | 1.8% | - | - |
| Malayalam | 54 | 2.6% | 1.2% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Filipino | 39 | 1.9% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Sinhalese | 33 | 1.6% | 1.1% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 31 | 1.5% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Urdu | 30 | 1.4% | 1.0% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Telugu | 26 | 1.2% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 2,103 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 171 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,932 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.