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 Carlton North (part), accounting for 83.1% (5,116 people). This share was higher than Yarra (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 248 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Carlton North (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Carlton North (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Yarra (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Carlton North (part), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
English
Italian
Not stated
Greek
French
Spanish
Mandarin
German
Arabic
Vietnamese
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+248
+5.8pp
Italian
-76
-1.1pp
Not stated
-184
-2.8pp
Greek
-23
-0.3pp
French
-2
0.0pp
Spanish
-11
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-45
-0.7pp
German
-5
0.0pp
Arabic
+8
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+15
+0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Carlton North (part). 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 | 5,116 | 83.1% | 74.8% | 4,868 | 77.3% | 68.7% | +248 | +5.8pp |
| Italian | 208 | 3.4% | 1.4% | 284 | 4.5% | 1.8% | -76 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 196 | 3.2% | 5.2% | 380 | 6.0% | 9.0% | -184 | -2.8pp |
| Greek | 78 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 101 | 1.6% | 2.6% | -23 | -0.3pp |
| French | 62 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 64 | 1.0% | 0.7% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 60 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 71 | 1.1% | 1.0% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 41 | 0.7% | 1.9% | 86 | 1.4% | 2.2% | -45 | -0.7pp |
| German | 35 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 40 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 28 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 20 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 26 | 0.4% | 3.3% | 11 | 0.2% | 3.9% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 6,156 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,295 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -139 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.