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 Fitzroy North (part), accounting for 79.9% (10,198 people). This share was higher than Yarra (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,827 people, while its share fell by 5.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fitzroy North (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Fitzroy North (part) 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 Fitzroy North (part), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
English
2021 count
10,198
% of total
79.9%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
10,198
79.9%
-5.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
545
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
545
4.3%
-0.8pp
Italian
2021 count
396
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
396
3.1%
+2.7pp
Greek
2021 count
237
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
237
1.9%
+1.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
143
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
143
1.1%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
119
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
119
0.9%
+0.5pp
German
2021 count
117
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
117
0.9%
+0.8pp
Spanish
2021 count
104
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
104
0.8%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
101
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
101
0.8%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
97
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
97
0.8%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,827
-5.2pp
Not stated
+341
-0.8pp
Italian
+380
+2.7pp
Greek
+230
+1.7pp
Mandarin
+97
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+103
+0.5pp
German
+114
+0.8pp
Cantonese
+67
-0.1pp
French
+84
+0.5pp
Arabic
+51
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Fitzroy 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 | 10,198 | 79.9% | 74.8% | 3,371 | 85.1% | 68.7% | +6,827 | -5.2pp |
| Not stated | 545 | 4.3% | 5.2% | 204 | 5.1% | 9.0% | +341 | -0.8pp |
| Italian | 396 | 3.1% | 1.4% | 16 | 0.4% | 1.8% | +380 | +2.7pp |
| Greek | 237 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 7 | 0.2% | 2.6% | +230 | +1.7pp |
| Mandarin | 143 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 46 | 1.2% | 2.2% | +97 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 119 | 0.9% | 3.3% | 16 | 0.4% | 3.9% | +103 | +0.5pp |
| German | 117 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +114 | +0.8pp |
| Spanish | 104 | 0.8% | 1.0% | - | - | 1.0% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 101 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 34 | 0.9% | 1.4% | +67 | -0.1pp |
| French | 97 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 13 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +84 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 12,761 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,963 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,798 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.