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 (Vic.), accounting for 68.7% (7,157 people). This share was lower than Yarra (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 788 people and 7.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fitzroy (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Fitzroy (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 Fitzroy (Vic.), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
English
2021 count
7,157
% of total
68.7%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
7,157
68.7%
+7.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
876
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
876
8.4%
-5.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
405
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
405
3.9%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
214
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
214
2.1%
-0.4pp
Cantonese
2021 count
188
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
188
1.8%
-0.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
160
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
160
1.5%
-0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
125
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
125
1.2%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
124
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
124
1.2%
-0.4pp
Somali
2021 count
114
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
114
1.1%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
99
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
99
0.9%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+788
+7.6pp
Not stated
-523
-5.0pp
Vietnamese
-21
-0.2pp
Mandarin
-42
-0.4pp
Cantonese
-36
-0.3pp
Arabic
-48
-0.5pp
Italian
+5
0.0pp
Greek
-40
-0.4pp
Somali
-24
-0.2pp
Spanish
-19
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Fitzroy (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 | 7,157 | 68.7% | 74.8% | 6,369 | 61.1% | 68.7% | +788 | +7.6pp |
| Not stated | 876 | 8.4% | 5.2% | 1,399 | 13.4% | 9.0% | -523 | -5.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 405 | 3.9% | 3.3% | 426 | 4.1% | 3.9% | -21 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 214 | 2.1% | 1.9% | 256 | 2.5% | 2.2% | -42 | -0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 188 | 1.8% | 1.2% | 224 | 2.1% | 1.4% | -36 | -0.3pp |
| Arabic | 160 | 1.5% | 0.6% | 208 | 2.0% | 0.8% | -48 | -0.5pp |
| Italian | 125 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 120 | 1.2% | 1.8% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 124 | 1.2% | 2.2% | 164 | 1.6% | 2.6% | -40 | -0.4pp |
| Somali | 114 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 138 | 1.3% | 0.5% | -24 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 99 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 118 | 1.1% | 1.0% | -19 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 10,425 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,429 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -4 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.