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 Princes Hill, accounting for 79.5% (1,601 people). This share was higher than Yarra (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Italian, which decreased by 50 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Princes Hill - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Princes Hill 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 Princes Hill, with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
English
2021 count
1,601
% of total
79.5%
Change from 2016
+5.7pp
1,601
79.5%
+5.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
105
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
105
5.2%
-1.7pp
Italian
2021 count
55
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
55
2.7%
-2.3pp
Greek
2021 count
36
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
36
1.8%
-0.7pp
Arabic
2021 count
23
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
23
1.1%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
16
0.8%
+0.2pp
Oromo
2021 count
15
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.7%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
12
0.6%
-0.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12
0.6%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
12
0.6%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+46
+5.7pp
Not stated
-41
-1.7pp
Italian
-50
-2.3pp
Greek
-17
-0.7pp
Arabic
-3
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+4
+0.2pp
Oromo
+3
+0.1pp
French
-11
-0.5pp
Spanish
-3
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+5
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Princes Hill. 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 | 1,601 | 79.5% | 74.8% | 1,555 | 73.8% | 68.7% | +46 | +5.7pp |
| Not stated | 105 | 5.2% | 5.2% | 146 | 6.9% | 9.0% | -41 | -1.7pp |
| Italian | 55 | 2.7% | 1.4% | 105 | 5.0% | 1.8% | -50 | -2.3pp |
| Greek | 36 | 1.8% | 2.2% | 53 | 2.5% | 2.6% | -17 | -0.7pp |
| Arabic | 23 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 26 | 1.2% | 0.8% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 16 | 0.8% | 1.2% | 12 | 0.6% | 1.4% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Oromo | 15 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| French | 12 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 23 | 1.1% | 0.7% | -11 | -0.5pp |
| Spanish | 12 | 0.6% | 1.0% | 15 | 0.7% | 1.0% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 12 | 0.6% | 3.3% | 7 | 0.3% | 3.9% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 2,015 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,107 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -92 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.