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, accounting for 61.7% (30,848 people). This share was higher than Wyndham (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,998 people, while its share fell by 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Werribee - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Werribee 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, with comparison markers for Wyndham (C).
English
2021 count
30,848
% of total
61.7%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
30,848
61.7%
-4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,189
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
3,189
6.4%
+0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
1,610
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
1,610
3.2%
+1.3pp
Karen
2021 count
1,412
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,412
2.8%
-0.6pp
Italian
2021 count
1,002
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,002
2.0%
-0.9pp
Hindi
2021 count
875
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
875
1.7%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
674
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
674
1.3%
+0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
569
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
569
1.1%
-0.1pp
Telugu
2021 count
522
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
522
1.0%
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
511
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
511
1.0%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,998
-4.9pp
Not stated
+781
+0.4pp
Punjabi
+855
+1.3pp
Karen
+38
-0.6pp
Italian
-178
-0.9pp
Hindi
+333
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+298
+0.4pp
Arabic
+72
-0.1pp
Telugu
+333
+0.5pp
Vietnamese
+210
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Werribee. 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 | 30,848 | 61.7% | 44.0% | 26,850 | 66.6% | 53.1% | +3,998 | -4.9pp |
| Not stated | 3,189 | 6.4% | 6.2% | 2,408 | 6.0% | 5.8% | +781 | +0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 1,610 | 3.2% | 7.1% | 755 | 1.9% | 3.6% | +855 | +1.3pp |
| Karen | 1,412 | 2.8% | 1.0% | 1,374 | 3.4% | 1.1% | +38 | -0.6pp |
| Italian | 1,002 | 2.0% | 0.8% | 1,180 | 2.9% | 1.4% | -178 | -0.9pp |
| Hindi | 875 | 1.7% | 4.8% | 542 | 1.3% | 3.5% | +333 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 674 | 1.3% | 3.6% | 376 | 0.9% | 3.4% | +298 | +0.4pp |
| Arabic | 569 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 497 | 1.2% | 1.9% | +72 | -0.1pp |
| Telugu | 522 | 1.0% | 2.5% | 189 | 0.5% | 1.3% | +333 | +0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 511 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 301 | 0.7% | 1.0% | +210 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 50,023 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,314 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,709 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.