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 Collingwood (Vic.), accounting for 68.3% (6,269 people). This share was lower than Yarra (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,726 people, while its share fell by 21 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Collingwood (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Collingwood (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 Collingwood (Vic.), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
English
2021 count
6,269
% of total
68.3%
Change from 2016
-21.0pp
6,269
68.3%
-21.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
632
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
632
6.9%
-0.7pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
370
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-
370
4.0%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
200
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-
200
2.2%
-
Somali
2021 count
178
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-
178
1.9%
-
Oromo
2021 count
166
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
166
1.8%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
134
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
134
1.5%
-
Greek
2021 count
121
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
121
1.3%
+0.5pp
Arabic
2021 count
119
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-
119
1.3%
-
Spanish
2021 count
82
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
82
0.9%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,726
-21.0pp
Not stated
+586
-0.7pp
Greek
+116
+0.5pp
Italian
+62
-0.8pp
Data table
Language used at home for Collingwood (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 | 6,269 | 68.3% | 74.8% | 543 | 89.3% | 68.7% | +5,726 | -21.0pp |
| Not stated | 632 | 6.9% | 5.2% | 46 | 7.6% | 9.0% | +586 | -0.7pp |
| Vietnamese | 370 | 4.0% | 3.3% | - | - | 3.9% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 200 | 2.2% | 1.9% | - | - | 2.2% | - | - |
| Somali | 178 | 1.9% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Oromo | 166 | 1.8% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 134 | 1.5% | 1.2% | - | - | 1.4% | - | - |
| Greek | 121 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 5 | 0.8% | 2.6% | +116 | +0.5pp |
| Arabic | 119 | 1.3% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Spanish | 82 | 0.9% | 1.0% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Total | 9,180 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 608 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,572 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.