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 Abbotsford (Vic.), accounting for 71.1% (6,449 people). This share was lower than Yarra (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,125 people and 5.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Abbotsford (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Abbotsford (Vic.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Yarra (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Abbotsford (Vic.), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
English
2021 count
6,449
% of total
71.1%
Change from 2016
+5.6pp
6,449
71.1%
+5.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
516
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
516
5.7%
-3.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
417
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
417
4.6%
-1.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
271
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
271
3.0%
-1.4pp
Greek
2021 count
173
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
173
1.9%
-0.6pp
Cantonese
2021 count
167
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
167
1.8%
-0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
151
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
151
1.7%
+0.3pp
French
2021 count
64
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
64
0.7%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
53
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
53
0.6%
-0.2pp
Thai
2021 count
53
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
53
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,125
+5.6pp
Not stated
-203
-3.1pp
Vietnamese
-43
-1.1pp
Mandarin
-87
-1.4pp
Greek
-33
-0.6pp
Cantonese
-2
-0.3pp
Spanish
+37
+0.3pp
French
+6
0.0pp
Italian
-10
-0.2pp
Thai
-9
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Abbotsford (Vic.). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yarra (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Yarra (C)% | Count | % | Yarra (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,449 | 71.1% | 74.8% | 5,324 | 65.5% | 68.7% | +1,125 | +5.6pp |
| Not stated | 516 | 5.7% | 5.2% | 719 | 8.8% | 9.0% | -203 | -3.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 417 | 4.6% | 3.3% | 460 | 5.7% | 3.9% | -43 | -1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 271 | 3.0% | 1.9% | 358 | 4.4% | 2.2% | -87 | -1.4pp |
| Greek | 173 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 206 | 2.5% | 2.6% | -33 | -0.6pp |
| Cantonese | 167 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 169 | 2.1% | 1.4% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Spanish | 151 | 1.7% | 1.0% | 114 | 1.4% | 1.0% | +37 | +0.3pp |
| French | 64 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 58 | 0.7% | 0.7% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 53 | 0.6% | 1.4% | 63 | 0.8% | 1.8% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Thai | 53 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 62 | 0.8% | 0.3% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 9,076 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,131 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +945 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.