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 Whittlesea, accounting for 89.5% (5,450 people). This share was higher than Whittlesea (C) (50.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 494 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Whittlesea - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Whittlesea 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 Whittlesea, with comparison markers for Whittlesea (C).
English
2021 count
5,450
% of total
89.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
5,450
89.5%
+1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
294
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
294
4.8%
-1.1pp
Italian
2021 count
95
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
95
1.6%
0.0pp
Macedonian
2021 count
31
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
31
0.5%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
25
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
25
0.4%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.3%
0.0pp
Maltese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
16
0.3%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.3%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
14
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+494
+1.2pp
Not stated
-36
-1.1pp
Italian
+8
0.0pp
Macedonian
-6
-0.2pp
Greek
-4
-0.1pp
Arabic
0
0.0pp
Maltese
-5
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+1
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+11
+0.1pp
Spanish
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Whittlesea. 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 | 5,450 | 89.5% | 50.2% | 4,956 | 88.3% | 51.1% | +494 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 294 | 4.8% | 4.7% | 330 | 5.9% | 4.8% | -36 | -1.1pp |
| Italian | 95 | 1.6% | 3.6% | 87 | 1.6% | 5.0% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian | 31 | 0.5% | 4.3% | 37 | 0.7% | 5.1% | -6 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 25 | 0.4% | 3.1% | 29 | 0.5% | 3.7% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 17 | 0.3% | 5.2% | 17 | 0.3% | 5.0% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Maltese | 16 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 16 | 0.3% | 2.2% | 15 | 0.3% | 2.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 14 | 0.2% | 2.3% | 3 | 0.1% | 2.4% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 12 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,090 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,611 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +479 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.