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 Augusta-Margaret River (S), accounting for 84.3% (14,155 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,013 people, while its share fell by 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Augusta-Margaret River (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Augusta-Margaret River (S) 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 Augusta-Margaret River (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
14,155
% of total
84.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
14,155
84.3%
-1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,380
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,380
8.2%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
163
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
163
1.0%
+0.2pp
French
2021 count
155
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
155
0.9%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
136
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
136
0.8%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
120
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
120
0.7%
+0.2pp
Tongan
2021 count
55
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
55
0.3%
+0.3pp
Portuguese
2021 count
50
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
50
0.3%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
49
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
49
0.3%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
41
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
41
0.2%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,013
-1.0pp
Not stated
+219
0.0pp
German
+51
+0.2pp
French
+70
+0.3pp
Spanish
+67
+0.3pp
Italian
+46
+0.2pp
Tongan
+50
+0.3pp
Portuguese
-8
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-21
-0.2pp
Tagalog
-9
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Augusta-Margaret River (S). 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 | 14,155 | 84.3% | 80.9% | 12,142 | 85.3% | 81.7% | +2,013 | -1.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,380 | 8.2% | 10.5% | 1,161 | 8.2% | 10.0% | +219 | 0.0pp |
| German | 163 | 1.0% | 0.3% | 112 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +51 | +0.2pp |
| French | 155 | 0.9% | 0.2% | 85 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +70 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 136 | 0.8% | 0.2% | 69 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +67 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 120 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 74 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +46 | +0.2pp |
| Tongan | 55 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +50 | +0.3pp |
| Portuguese | 50 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 58 | 0.4% | 0.1% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 49 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 70 | 0.5% | 0.4% | -21 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 41 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 50 | 0.4% | 0.6% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 16,787 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,234 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,553 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.