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 Belmont (C), accounting for 61.8% (26,130 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,218 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Belmont (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Belmont (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Belmont (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
26,130
% of total
61.8%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
26,130
61.8%
+1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,034
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
3,034
7.2%
-3.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,779
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,779
4.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
757
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
757
1.8%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
666
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
666
1.6%
0.0pp
Urdu
2021 count
594
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
594
1.4%
+0.4pp
Tagalog
2021 count
549
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
549
1.3%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
480
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
480
1.1%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
447
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
447
1.1%
-0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
433
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
433
1.0%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,218
+1.5pp
Not stated
-1,024
-3.0pp
Mandarin
+99
0.0pp
Arabic
+10
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+23
0.0pp
Urdu
+190
+0.4pp
Tagalog
-21
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+131
+0.2pp
Italian
-66
-0.2pp
Punjabi
+84
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Belmont (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 | 26,130 | 61.8% | 74.0% | 23,912 | 60.3% | 73.5% | +2,218 | +1.5pp |
| Not stated | 3,034 | 7.2% | 5.1% | 4,058 | 10.2% | 6.4% | -1,024 | -3.0pp |
| Mandarin | 1,779 | 4.2% | 2.3% | 1,680 | 4.2% | 2.3% | +99 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 757 | 1.8% | 0.7% | 747 | 1.9% | 0.7% | +10 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 666 | 1.6% | 0.9% | 643 | 1.6% | 1.0% | +23 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 594 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 404 | 1.0% | 0.3% | +190 | +0.4pp |
| Tagalog | 549 | 1.3% | 0.7% | 570 | 1.4% | 0.6% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 480 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 349 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +131 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 447 | 1.1% | 1.1% | 513 | 1.3% | 1.4% | -66 | -0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 433 | 1.0% | 0.9% | 349 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +84 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 42,288 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 39,661 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,627 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.