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 Yarra Ranges (S), accounting for 88.3% (137,846 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (61.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,294 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Yarra Ranges (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Yarra Ranges (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Yarra Ranges (S), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
English
2021 count
137,846
% of total
88.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
137,846
88.3%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,776
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
5,776
3.7%
-1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,225
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,225
0.8%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
1,148
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,148
0.7%
-0.2pp
Chin Haka
2021 count
1,066
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,066
0.7%
+0.3pp
German
2021 count
687
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
687
0.4%
-0.2pp
Dutch
2021 count
493
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
493
0.3%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
408
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
408
0.3%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
398
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
398
0.3%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
351
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
351
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,294
+0.3pp
Not stated
-1,506
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+382
+0.2pp
Italian
-226
-0.2pp
Chin Haka
+417
+0.3pp
German
-213
-0.2pp
Dutch
-265
-0.2pp
Greek
+59
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+137
+0.1pp
Spanish
+5
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Yarra Ranges (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| English | 137,846 | 88.3% | 61.1% | 131,552 | 88.0% | 62.0% | +6,294 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 5,776 | 3.7% | 4.8% | 7,282 | 4.9% | 5.6% | -1,506 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 1,225 | 0.8% | 4.3% | 843 | 0.6% | 4.1% | +382 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 1,148 | 0.7% | 1.7% | 1,374 | 0.9% | 2.3% | -226 | -0.2pp |
| Chin Haka | 1,066 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 649 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +417 | +0.3pp |
| German | 687 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 900 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -213 | -0.2pp |
| Dutch | 493 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 758 | 0.5% | 0.1% | -265 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 408 | 0.3% | 2.1% | 349 | 0.2% | 2.4% | +59 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 398 | 0.3% | 1.6% | 261 | 0.2% | 1.7% | +137 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 351 | 0.2% | 0.8% | 346 | 0.2% | 0.8% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 156,034 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 149,488 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,546 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.