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 Thomastown, accounting for 29.5% (5,968 people). This share was lower than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 510 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Thomastown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Thomastown 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 Thomastown, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
English
Arabic
Macedonian
Vietnamese
Italian
Greek
Not stated
Punjabi
Mandarin
Turkish
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+510
+2.9pp
Arabic
-29
0.0pp
Macedonian
-264
-1.1pp
Vietnamese
-17
0.0pp
Italian
-365
-1.7pp
Greek
-97
-0.4pp
Not stated
-15
0.0pp
Punjabi
-147
-0.7pp
Mandarin
+49
+0.3pp
Turkish
-50
-0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Thomastown. 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 | 5,968 | 29.5% | 50.2% | 5,458 | 26.6% | 51.1% | +510 | +2.9pp |
| Arabic | 1,990 | 9.8% | 5.2% | 2,019 | 9.8% | 5.0% | -29 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian | 1,569 | 7.8% | 4.3% | 1,833 | 8.9% | 5.1% | -264 | -1.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,535 | 7.6% | 2.3% | 1,552 | 7.6% | 2.4% | -17 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 1,503 | 7.4% | 3.6% | 1,868 | 9.1% | 5.0% | -365 | -1.7pp |
| Greek | 1,297 | 6.4% | 3.1% | 1,394 | 6.8% | 3.7% | -97 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 997 | 4.9% | 4.7% | 1,012 | 4.9% | 4.8% | -15 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 787 | 3.9% | 4.3% | 934 | 4.6% | 3.2% | -147 | -0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 469 | 2.3% | 2.2% | 420 | 2.0% | 2.3% | +49 | +0.3pp |
| Turkish | 420 | 2.1% | 0.8% | 470 | 2.3% | 0.9% | -50 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 20,214 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,526 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -312 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.