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 Armadale (C), accounting for 71.1% (66,921 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 7,163 people, while its share fell by 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Armadale (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Armadale (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Armadale (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
66,921
% of total
71.1%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
66,921
71.1%
-3.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,049
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
5,049
5.4%
-0.8pp
Punjabi
2021 count
2,372
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
2,372
2.5%
+1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,796
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,796
1.9%
+0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
1,642
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,642
1.7%
+0.6pp
Tamil
2021 count
1,299
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,299
1.4%
+0.5pp
Tagalog
2021 count
1,045
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,045
1.1%
+0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
861
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
861
0.9%
+0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
732
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
732
0.8%
+0.2pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
677
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
677
0.7%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7,163
-3.9pp
Not stated
+125
-0.8pp
Punjabi
+1,329
+1.2pp
Mandarin
+439
+0.2pp
Malayalam
+739
+0.6pp
Tamil
+565
+0.5pp
Tagalog
+407
+0.3pp
Hindi
+351
+0.3pp
Filipino
+274
+0.2pp
Sinhalese
+226
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Armadale (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | pp | |
| English | 66,921 | 71.1% | 74.0% | 59,758 | 75.0% | 73.5% | +7,163 | -3.9pp |
| Not stated | 5,049 | 5.4% | 5.1% | 4,924 | 6.2% | 6.4% | +125 | -0.8pp |
| Punjabi | 2,372 | 2.5% | 0.9% | 1,043 | 1.3% | 0.6% | +1,329 | +1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 1,796 | 1.9% | 2.3% | 1,357 | 1.7% | 2.3% | +439 | +0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 1,642 | 1.7% | 0.4% | 903 | 1.1% | 0.4% | +739 | +0.6pp |
| Tamil | 1,299 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 734 | 0.9% | 0.3% | +565 | +0.5pp |
| Tagalog | 1,045 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 638 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +407 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 861 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 510 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +351 | +0.3pp |
| Filipino | 732 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 458 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +274 | +0.2pp |
| Sinhalese | 677 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 451 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +226 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 94,140 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 79,627 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +14,513 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.