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 Mernda, accounting for 56.9% (13,294 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,874 people, while its share fell by 6.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mernda - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mernda 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 Mernda, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
English
2021 count
13,294
% of total
56.9%
Change from 2016
-6.5pp
13,294
56.9%
-6.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
1,123
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
1,123
4.8%
+2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
939
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
939
4.0%
-2.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
691
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
691
3.0%
+1.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
587
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
587
2.5%
+0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
513
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
513
2.2%
+1.1pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
458
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
458
2.0%
+0.4pp
Greek
2021 count
444
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
444
1.9%
-0.2pp
Macedonian
2021 count
434
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
434
1.9%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
420
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
420
1.8%
-0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,874
-6.5pp
Punjabi
+731
+2.4pp
Not stated
-53
-2.0pp
Hindi
+386
+1.1pp
Arabic
+233
+0.3pp
Malayalam
+330
+1.1pp
Sinhalese
+195
+0.4pp
Greek
+102
-0.2pp
Macedonian
+72
-0.3pp
Italian
+15
-0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mernda. 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 | 13,294 | 56.9% | 50.2% | 10,420 | 63.4% | 51.1% | +2,874 | -6.5pp |
| Punjabi | 1,123 | 4.8% | 4.3% | 392 | 2.4% | 3.2% | +731 | +2.4pp |
| Not stated | 939 | 4.0% | 4.7% | 992 | 6.0% | 4.8% | -53 | -2.0pp |
| Hindi | 691 | 3.0% | 2.0% | 305 | 1.9% | 1.8% | +386 | +1.1pp |
| Arabic | 587 | 2.5% | 5.2% | 354 | 2.2% | 5.0% | +233 | +0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 513 | 2.2% | 1.2% | 183 | 1.1% | 0.8% | +330 | +1.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 458 | 2.0% | 1.1% | 263 | 1.6% | 1.0% | +195 | +0.4pp |
| Greek | 444 | 1.9% | 3.1% | 342 | 2.1% | 3.7% | +102 | -0.2pp |
| Macedonian | 434 | 1.9% | 4.3% | 362 | 2.2% | 5.1% | +72 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 420 | 1.8% | 3.6% | 405 | 2.5% | 5.0% | +15 | -0.7pp |
| Total | 23,365 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,426 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,939 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.