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 Broome, accounting for 70.3% (2,650 people). This share was lower than Broome (S) (73.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 180 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Broome - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Broome in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Broome (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Broome, with comparison markers for Broome (S).
English
2021 count
2,650
% of total
70.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,650
70.3%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
689
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
689
18.3%
-0.8pp
Spanish
2021 count
45
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
45
1.2%
+1.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
33
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
33
0.9%
-0.3pp
Yawuru
2021 count
31
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
31
0.8%
+0.6pp
Thai
2021 count
29
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
29
0.8%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
28
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
28
0.7%
+0.5pp
Tagalog
2021 count
24
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
24
0.6%
-0.4pp
French
2021 count
21
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
21
0.6%
+0.2pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
20
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
20
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-180
-0.2pp
Not stated
-76
-0.8pp
Spanish
+36
+1.0pp
Filipino
-14
-0.3pp
Yawuru
+21
+0.6pp
Thai
+6
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+21
+0.5pp
Tagalog
-16
-0.4pp
French
+6
+0.2pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Broome. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Broome (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Broome (S)% | Count | % | Broome (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,650 | 70.3% | 73.3% | 2,830 | 70.5% | 76.0% | -180 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 689 | 18.3% | 14.5% | 765 | 19.1% | 12.6% | -76 | -0.8pp |
| Spanish | 45 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +36 | +1.0pp |
| Filipino | 33 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 47 | 1.2% | 0.5% | -14 | -0.3pp |
| Yawuru | 31 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +21 | +0.6pp |
| Thai | 29 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 23 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 28 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| Tagalog | 24 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 40 | 1.0% | 0.6% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| French | 21 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 15 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 20 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 23 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 3,770 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,015 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -245 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.