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 South Morang, accounting for 59.6% (14,907 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 14,811 people, while its share fell by 28.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Morang - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South Morang 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 South Morang, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
English
2021 count
14,907
% of total
59.6%
Change from 2016
-28.5pp
14,907
59.6%
-28.5pp
Macedonian
2021 count
1,155
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-
1,155
4.6%
-
Italian
2021 count
1,000
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-
1,000
4.0%
-
Not stated
2021 count
846
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-8.5pp
846
3.4%
-8.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
693
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-
693
2.8%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
574
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
574
2.3%
-
Greek
2021 count
564
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
564
2.3%
-
Malayalam
2021 count
524
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-
524
2.1%
-
Hindi
2021 count
454
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
454
1.8%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
418
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
418
1.7%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+14,811
-28.5pp
Not stated
+833
-8.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for South Morang. 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 | 14,907 | 59.6% | 50.2% | 96 | 88.1% | 51.1% | +14,811 | -28.5pp |
| Macedonian | 1,155 | 4.6% | 4.3% | - | - | 5.1% | - | - |
| Italian | 1,000 | 4.0% | 3.6% | - | - | 5.0% | - | - |
| Not stated | 846 | 3.4% | 4.7% | 13 | 11.9% | 4.8% | +833 | -8.5pp |
| Arabic | 693 | 2.8% | 5.2% | - | - | 5.0% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 574 | 2.3% | 4.3% | - | - | 3.2% | - | - |
| Greek | 564 | 2.3% | 3.1% | - | - | 3.7% | - | - |
| Malayalam | 524 | 2.1% | 1.2% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Hindi | 454 | 1.8% | 2.0% | - | - | 1.8% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 418 | 1.7% | 2.2% | - | - | 2.3% | - | - |
| Total | 24,994 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 109 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +24,885 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.