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 Yarra (C), accounting for 74.8% (67,385 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 7,814 people and 6.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Yarra (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Yarra (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Yarra (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
67,385
% of total
74.8%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
67,385
74.8%
+6.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,705
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
4,705
5.2%
-3.8pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
2,998
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
2,998
3.3%
-0.6pp
Greek
2021 count
1,982
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,982
2.2%
-0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,710
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,710
1.9%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
1,243
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,243
1.4%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
1,071
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,071
1.2%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
865
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
865
1.0%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
607
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
607
0.7%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
584
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
584
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7,814
+6.1pp
Not stated
-3,060
-3.8pp
Vietnamese
-375
-0.6pp
Greek
-303
-0.4pp
Mandarin
-196
-0.3pp
Italian
-324
-0.4pp
Cantonese
-103
-0.2pp
Spanish
-11
0.0pp
French
-20
0.0pp
Arabic
-106
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Yarra (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 67,385 | 74.8% | 61.1% | 59,571 | 68.7% | 62.0% | +7,814 | +6.1pp |
| Not stated | 4,705 | 5.2% | 4.8% | 7,765 | 9.0% | 5.6% | -3,060 | -3.8pp |
| Vietnamese | 2,998 | 3.3% | 2.3% | 3,373 | 3.9% | 2.3% | -375 | -0.6pp |
| Greek | 1,982 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 2,285 | 2.6% | 2.4% | -303 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 1,710 | 1.9% | 4.3% | 1,906 | 2.2% | 4.1% | -196 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 1,243 | 1.4% | 1.7% | 1,567 | 1.8% | 2.3% | -324 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 1,071 | 1.2% | 1.6% | 1,174 | 1.4% | 1.7% | -103 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 865 | 1.0% | 0.8% | 876 | 1.0% | 0.8% | -11 | 0.0pp |
| French | 607 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 627 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -20 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 584 | 0.6% | 1.8% | 690 | 0.8% | 1.7% | -106 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 90,066 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 86,664 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,402 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.