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 Albany (C), accounting for 87.8% (34,040 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,253 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Albany (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Albany (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Albany (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
34,040
% of total
87.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
34,040
87.8%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,339
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
2,339
6.0%
-1.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
229
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
229
0.6%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
220
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
220
0.6%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
219
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
219
0.6%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
188
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
188
0.5%
-0.1pp
Karen
2021 count
182
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
182
0.5%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
128
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
128
0.3%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
102
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
102
0.3%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
87
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
87
0.2%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,253
+0.7pp
Not stated
-264
-1.1pp
Tagalog
+13
0.0pp
Filipino
-11
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+26
+0.1pp
Italian
-45
-0.1pp
Karen
+84
+0.2pp
German
-27
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+12
+0.1pp
Dutch
-23
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Albany (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 34,040 | 87.8% | 80.9% | 31,787 | 87.1% | 81.7% | +2,253 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 2,339 | 6.0% | 10.5% | 2,603 | 7.1% | 10.0% | -264 | -1.1pp |
| Tagalog | 229 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 216 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 220 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 231 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -11 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 219 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 193 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +26 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 188 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 233 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -45 | -0.1pp |
| Karen | 182 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 98 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +84 | +0.2pp |
| German | 128 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 155 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 102 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 90 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 87 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 110 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -23 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 38,769 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36,514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,255 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.