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 Bassendean (T), accounting for 80.7% (12,856 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 902 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bassendean (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bassendean (T) 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 Bassendean (T), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
12,856
% of total
80.7%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
12,856
80.7%
+1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
857
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
857
5.4%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
204
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
204
1.3%
-0.4pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
173
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
173
1.1%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
154
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
154
1.0%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
92
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
92
0.6%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
91
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
91
0.6%
0.0pp
Serbian
2021 count
76
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
76
0.5%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
72
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
72
0.5%
-0.1pp
Croatian
2021 count
69
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
69
0.4%
-0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+902
+1.4pp
Not stated
-3
-0.3pp
Italian
-53
-0.4pp
Vietnamese
+23
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-15
-0.1pp
French
-1
0.0pp
Tagalog
+2
0.0pp
Serbian
-3
0.0pp
Cantonese
-22
-0.1pp
Croatian
-8
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bassendean (T). 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 | 12,856 | 80.7% | 74.0% | 11,954 | 79.3% | 73.5% | +902 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 857 | 5.4% | 5.1% | 860 | 5.7% | 6.4% | -3 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 204 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 257 | 1.7% | 1.4% | -53 | -0.4pp |
| Vietnamese | 173 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 150 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 154 | 1.0% | 2.3% | 169 | 1.1% | 2.3% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| French | 92 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 93 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 91 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 89 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Serbian | 76 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 79 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 72 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 94 | 0.6% | 1.0% | -22 | -0.1pp |
| Croatian | 69 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 77 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 15,923 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 15,081 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +842 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.