Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Lalor, accounting for 31.9% (7,395 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 798 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lalor - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Lalor in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Whittlesea (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lalor, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
English
Arabic
Macedonian
Vietnamese
Italian
Not stated
Greek
Punjabi
Nepali
Mandarin
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+798
+2.6pp
Arabic
-5
-0.4pp
Macedonian
-157
-0.9pp
Vietnamese
+94
+0.3pp
Italian
-323
-1.6pp
Not stated
+121
+0.3pp
Greek
-192
-1.0pp
Punjabi
-128
-0.7pp
Nepali
+376
+1.6pp
Mandarin
+69
+0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Lalor. 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 | 7,395 | 31.9% | 50.2% | 6,597 | 29.3% | 51.1% | +798 | +2.6pp |
| Arabic | 2,469 | 10.6% | 5.2% | 2,474 | 11.0% | 5.0% | -5 | -0.4pp |
| Macedonian | 1,763 | 7.6% | 4.3% | 1,920 | 8.5% | 5.1% | -157 | -0.9pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,568 | 6.8% | 2.3% | 1,474 | 6.5% | 2.4% | +94 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 1,463 | 6.3% | 3.6% | 1,786 | 7.9% | 5.0% | -323 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,374 | 5.9% | 4.7% | 1,253 | 5.6% | 4.8% | +121 | +0.3pp |
| Greek | 1,351 | 5.8% | 3.1% | 1,543 | 6.8% | 3.7% | -192 | -1.0pp |
| Punjabi | 822 | 3.5% | 4.3% | 950 | 4.2% | 3.2% | -128 | -0.7pp |
| Nepali | 479 | 2.1% | 1.0% | 103 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +376 | +1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 416 | 1.8% | 2.2% | 347 | 1.5% | 2.3% | +69 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 23,199 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,542 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +657 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.