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 Doreen (part), accounting for 78.7% (21,321 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,435 people, while its share fell by 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Doreen (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Doreen (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 Doreen (part), with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
English
2021 count
21,321
% of total
78.7%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
21,321
78.7%
-5.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
757
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
757
2.8%
-0.7pp
Punjabi
2021 count
476
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
476
1.8%
+1.1pp
Italian
2021 count
382
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
382
1.4%
-0.4pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
299
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
299
1.1%
+0.5pp
Malayalam
2021 count
274
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
274
1.0%
+0.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
245
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
245
0.9%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
241
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
241
0.9%
+0.5pp
Greek
2021 count
236
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
236
0.9%
+0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
234
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
234
0.9%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,435
-5.3pp
Not stated
+4
-0.7pp
Punjabi
+320
+1.1pp
Italian
-3
-0.4pp
Sinhalese
+163
+0.5pp
Malayalam
+243
+0.9pp
Arabic
+99
+0.2pp
Hindi
+152
+0.5pp
Greek
+67
+0.1pp
Macedonian
+60
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Doreen (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 | 21,321 | 78.7% | 50.2% | 17,886 | 84.0% | 51.1% | +3,435 | -5.3pp |
| Not stated | 757 | 2.8% | 4.7% | 753 | 3.5% | 4.8% | +4 | -0.7pp |
| Punjabi | 476 | 1.8% | 4.3% | 156 | 0.7% | 3.2% | +320 | +1.1pp |
| Italian | 382 | 1.4% | 3.6% | 385 | 1.8% | 5.0% | -3 | -0.4pp |
| Sinhalese | 299 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 136 | 0.6% | 1.0% | +163 | +0.5pp |
| Malayalam | 274 | 1.0% | 1.2% | 31 | 0.1% | 0.8% | +243 | +0.9pp |
| Arabic | 245 | 0.9% | 5.2% | 146 | 0.7% | 5.0% | +99 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 241 | 0.9% | 2.0% | 89 | 0.4% | 1.8% | +152 | +0.5pp |
| Greek | 236 | 0.9% | 3.1% | 169 | 0.8% | 3.7% | +67 | +0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 234 | 0.9% | 4.3% | 174 | 0.8% | 5.1% | +60 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 27,090 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,293 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,797 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.