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 Wyndham (C), accounting for 44% (128,559 people). This share was lower than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 13,227 people, while its share fell by 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wyndham (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wyndham (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wyndham (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
128,559
% of total
44.0%
Change from 2016
-9.1pp
128,559
44.0%
-9.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
20,853
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
20,853
7.1%
+3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
18,059
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
18,059
6.2%
+0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
14,017
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
14,017
4.8%
+1.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
10,462
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10,462
3.6%
+0.2pp
Urdu
2021 count
8,412
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
8,412
2.9%
+1.2pp
Telugu
2021 count
7,339
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
7,339
2.5%
+1.2pp
Gujarati
2021 count
6,878
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
6,878
2.4%
+0.9pp
Arabic
2021 count
5,582
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
5,582
1.9%
0.0pp
Tamil
2021 count
4,281
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
4,281
1.5%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+13,227
-9.1pp
Punjabi
+12,999
+3.5pp
Not stated
+5,441
+0.4pp
Hindi
+6,342
+1.3pp
Mandarin
+3,127
+0.2pp
Urdu
+4,704
+1.2pp
Telugu
+4,536
+1.2pp
Gujarati
+3,641
+0.9pp
Arabic
+1,386
0.0pp
Tamil
+2,365
+0.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wyndham (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 128,559 | 44.0% | 61.1% | 115,332 | 53.1% | 62.0% | +13,227 | -9.1pp |
| Punjabi | 20,853 | 7.1% | 2.0% | 7,854 | 3.6% | 1.2% | +12,999 | +3.5pp |
| Not stated | 18,059 | 6.2% | 4.8% | 12,618 | 5.8% | 5.6% | +5,441 | +0.4pp |
| Hindi | 14,017 | 4.8% | 1.3% | 7,675 | 3.5% | 1.1% | +6,342 | +1.3pp |
| Mandarin | 10,462 | 3.6% | 4.3% | 7,335 | 3.4% | 4.1% | +3,127 | +0.2pp |
| Urdu | 8,412 | 2.9% | 0.7% | 3,708 | 1.7% | 0.5% | +4,704 | +1.2pp |
| Telugu | 7,339 | 2.5% | 0.5% | 2,803 | 1.3% | 0.3% | +4,536 | +1.2pp |
| Gujarati | 6,878 | 2.4% | 0.5% | 3,237 | 1.5% | 0.3% | +3,641 | +0.9pp |
| Arabic | 5,582 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 4,196 | 1.9% | 1.7% | +1,386 | 0.0pp |
| Tamil | 4,281 | 1.5% | 0.7% | 1,916 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +2,365 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 292,005 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 217,119 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +74,886 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.