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 Richmond (Vic.), accounting for 72.1% (20,614 people). This share was lower than Yarra (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,352 people and 6.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Richmond (Vic.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Richmond (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 Richmond (Vic.), with comparison markers for Yarra (C).
English
2021 count
20,614
% of total
72.1%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
20,614
72.1%
+6.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
1,557
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,557
5.4%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,397
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,397
4.9%
-2.9pp
Greek
2021 count
979
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
979
3.4%
-0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
670
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
670
2.3%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
384
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
384
1.3%
-0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
286
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
286
1.0%
+0.1pp
Hakka
2021 count
252
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
252
0.9%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
239
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
239
0.8%
-0.3pp
French
2021 count
150
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
150
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,352
+6.1pp
Vietnamese
-260
-1.2pp
Not stated
-771
-2.9pp
Greek
-116
-0.6pp
Mandarin
+8
-0.1pp
Cantonese
-79
-0.4pp
Spanish
+28
+0.1pp
Hakka
-76
-0.3pp
Italian
-73
-0.3pp
French
-15
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Richmond (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 | 20,614 | 72.1% | 74.8% | 18,262 | 66.0% | 68.7% | +2,352 | +6.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 1,557 | 5.4% | 3.3% | 1,817 | 6.6% | 3.9% | -260 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,397 | 4.9% | 5.2% | 2,168 | 7.8% | 9.0% | -771 | -2.9pp |
| Greek | 979 | 3.4% | 2.2% | 1,095 | 4.0% | 2.6% | -116 | -0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 670 | 2.3% | 1.9% | 662 | 2.4% | 2.2% | +8 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 384 | 1.3% | 1.2% | 463 | 1.7% | 1.4% | -79 | -0.4pp |
| Spanish | 286 | 1.0% | 1.0% | 258 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Hakka | 252 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 328 | 1.2% | 0.4% | -76 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 239 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 312 | 1.1% | 1.8% | -73 | -0.3pp |
| French | 150 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 165 | 0.6% | 0.7% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 28,577 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 27,662 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +915 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.