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 Vale, accounting for 54.5% (11,189 people). This share was higher than Wyndham (C) (44%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,692 people and 10.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wyndham Vale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wyndham Vale 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 Wyndham Vale, with comparison markers for Wyndham (C).
English
2021 count
11,189
% of total
54.5%
Change from 2016
-10.8pp
11,189
54.5%
-10.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,274
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,274
6.2%
+0.8pp
Punjabi
2021 count
1,210
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
1,210
5.9%
+2.8pp
Karen
2021 count
941
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
941
4.6%
+2.9pp
Hindi
2021 count
674
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
674
3.3%
+0.6pp
Telugu
2021 count
540
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
540
2.6%
+1.3pp
Urdu
2021 count
312
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
312
1.5%
+0.6pp
Tamil
2021 count
259
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
259
1.3%
+0.4pp
Bengali
2021 count
241
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
241
1.2%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
212
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
212
1.0%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,692
-10.8pp
Not stated
+207
+0.8pp
Punjabi
+590
+2.8pp
Karen
+596
+2.9pp
Hindi
+134
+0.6pp
Telugu
+282
+1.3pp
Urdu
+142
+0.6pp
Tamil
+84
+0.4pp
Bengali
+44
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+41
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wyndham Vale. 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 | 11,189 | 54.5% | 44.0% | 12,881 | 65.3% | 53.1% | -1,692 | -10.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,274 | 6.2% | 6.2% | 1,067 | 5.4% | 5.8% | +207 | +0.8pp |
| Punjabi | 1,210 | 5.9% | 7.1% | 620 | 3.1% | 3.6% | +590 | +2.8pp |
| Karen | 941 | 4.6% | 1.0% | 345 | 1.7% | 1.1% | +596 | +2.9pp |
| Hindi | 674 | 3.3% | 4.8% | 540 | 2.7% | 3.5% | +134 | +0.6pp |
| Telugu | 540 | 2.6% | 2.5% | 258 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +282 | +1.3pp |
| Urdu | 312 | 1.5% | 2.9% | 170 | 0.9% | 1.7% | +142 | +0.6pp |
| Tamil | 259 | 1.3% | 1.5% | 175 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +84 | +0.4pp |
| Bengali | 241 | 1.2% | 1.3% | 197 | 1.0% | 1.1% | +44 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 212 | 1.0% | 3.6% | 171 | 0.9% | 3.4% | +41 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 20,518 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,738 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +780 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.