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 944 people and 4.9 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
+4.9pp
10,198
79.9%
+4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
545
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
545
4.3%
-3.3pp
Italian
2021 count
396
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
396
3.1%
-0.9pp
Greek
2021 count
237
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
237
1.9%
-0.2pp
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
-0.1pp
119
0.9%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
117
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
117
0.9%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
104
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
104
0.8%
-0.4pp
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
-0.1pp
97
0.8%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+944
+4.9pp
Not stated
-390
-3.3pp
Italian
-92
-0.9pp
Greek
-27
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+1
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
0
-0.1pp
German
+32
+0.2pp
Spanish
-49
-0.4pp
Cantonese
+19
+0.1pp
French
-19
-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% | 9,254 | 75.0% | 68.7% | +944 | +4.9pp |
| Not stated | 545 | 4.3% | 5.2% | 935 | 7.6% | 9.0% | -390 | -3.3pp |
| Italian | 396 | 3.1% | 1.4% | 488 | 4.0% | 1.8% | -92 | -0.9pp |
| Greek | 237 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 264 | 2.1% | 2.6% | -27 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 143 | 1.1% | 1.9% | 142 | 1.2% | 2.2% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 119 | 0.9% | 3.3% | 119 | 1.0% | 3.9% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| German | 117 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 85 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +32 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 104 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 153 | 1.2% | 1.0% | -49 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 101 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 82 | 0.7% | 1.4% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| French | 97 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 116 | 0.9% | 0.7% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 12,761 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,334 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +427 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.