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 Werribee South, accounting for 72.9% (1,733 people). This share was higher than Wyndham (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 490 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Werribee South - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Werribee South in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wyndham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Werribee South, with comparison markers for Wyndham (C).
English
2021 count
1,733
% of total
72.9%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
1,733
72.9%
+2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
184
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
184
7.7%
-2.0pp
Italian
2021 count
99
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
99
4.2%
-3.4pp
Greek
2021 count
44
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
44
1.9%
-0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
42
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
42
1.8%
-1.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
31
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
31
1.3%
+1.0pp
Maltese
2021 count
21
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.9%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
21
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
21
0.9%
+0.8pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
16
0.7%
-0.2pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
14
0.6%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+490
+2.6pp
Not stated
+13
-2.0pp
Italian
-36
-3.4pp
Greek
+9
-0.1pp
Macedonian
-11
-1.2pp
Hindi
+26
+1.0pp
Maltese
+6
0.0pp
Mandarin
+20
+0.8pp
Vietnamese
+1
-0.2pp
Sinhalese
+10
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Werribee South. 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 | 1,733 | 72.9% | 44.0% | 1,243 | 70.3% | 53.1% | +490 | +2.6pp |
| Not stated | 184 | 7.7% | 6.2% | 171 | 9.7% | 5.8% | +13 | -2.0pp |
| Italian | 99 | 4.2% | 0.8% | 135 | 7.6% | 1.4% | -36 | -3.4pp |
| Greek | 44 | 1.9% | 0.5% | 35 | 2.0% | 0.6% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 42 | 1.8% | 0.4% | 53 | 3.0% | 0.6% | -11 | -1.2pp |
| Hindi | 31 | 1.3% | 4.8% | 5 | 0.3% | 3.5% | +26 | +1.0pp |
| Maltese | 21 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 15 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 21 | 0.9% | 3.6% | 1 | 0.1% | 3.4% | +20 | +0.8pp |
| Vietnamese | 16 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 15 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 14 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 2,377 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,768 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +609 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.