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 Tarneit, accounting for 29.4% (16,557 people). This share was lower than Wyndham (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 6,070 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tarneit - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Tarneit in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wyndham (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Tarneit, with comparison markers for Wyndham (C).
English
Punjabi
Not stated
Hindi
Urdu
Gujarati
Telugu
Arabic
Bengali
Tagalog
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,343
-11.8pp
Punjabi
+6,070
+7.6pp
Not stated
+1,821
+1.2pp
Hindi
+1,581
+0.5pp
Urdu
+1,844
+2.1pp
Gujarati
+1,417
+1.2pp
Telugu
+1,202
+1.3pp
Arabic
+464
-0.1pp
Bengali
+606
+0.5pp
Tagalog
+366
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Tarneit. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wyndham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wyndham (C)% | Count | % | Wyndham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 16,557 | 29.4% | 44.0% | 14,214 | 41.2% | 53.1% | +2,343 | -11.8pp |
| Punjabi | 8,938 | 15.9% | 7.1% | 2,868 | 8.3% | 3.6% | +6,070 | +7.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,607 | 6.4% | 6.2% | 1,786 | 5.2% | 5.8% | +1,821 | +1.2pp |
| Hindi | 3,573 | 6.3% | 4.8% | 1,992 | 5.8% | 3.5% | +1,581 | +0.5pp |
| Urdu | 2,896 | 5.1% | 2.9% | 1,052 | 3.0% | 1.7% | +1,844 | +2.1pp |
| Gujarati | 2,584 | 4.6% | 2.4% | 1,167 | 3.4% | 1.5% | +1,417 | +1.2pp |
| Telugu | 1,939 | 3.4% | 2.5% | 737 | 2.1% | 1.3% | +1,202 | +1.3pp |
| Arabic | 1,336 | 2.4% | 1.9% | 872 | 2.5% | 1.9% | +464 | -0.1pp |
| Bengali | 1,123 | 2.0% | 1.3% | 517 | 1.5% | 1.1% | +606 | +0.5pp |
| Tagalog | 1,047 | 1.9% | 1.3% | 681 | 2.0% | 1.3% | +366 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 56,325 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 34,532 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +21,793 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.