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 Cable Beach, accounting for 76.1% (4,321 people). This share was higher than Broome (S) (73.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Spanish, which increased by 29 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cable Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cable Beach 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 Cable Beach, with comparison markers for Broome (S).
English
2021 count
4,321
% of total
76.1%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
4,321
76.1%
-4.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
766
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
766
13.5%
+1.6pp
Tagalog
2021 count
40
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
40
0.7%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
39
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
39
0.7%
+0.5pp
Yawuru
2021 count
39
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
39
0.7%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
38
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.7%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
37
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
37
0.7%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
36
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
36
0.6%
+0.4pp
French
2021 count
35
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
35
0.6%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
33
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-19
-4.0pp
Not stated
+120
+1.6pp
Tagalog
+1
0.0pp
Spanish
+29
+0.5pp
Yawuru
+24
+0.4pp
Mandarin
0
0.0pp
Italian
+3
+0.1pp
Filipino
+26
+0.4pp
French
+13
+0.2pp
German
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cable Beach. 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 | 4,321 | 76.1% | 73.3% | 4,340 | 80.1% | 76.0% | -19 | -4.0pp |
| Not stated | 766 | 13.5% | 14.5% | 646 | 11.9% | 12.6% | +120 | +1.6pp |
| Tagalog | 40 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 39 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 39 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +29 | +0.5pp |
| Yawuru | 39 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 15 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +24 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 38 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 38 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 37 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 34 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 36 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +26 | +0.4pp |
| French | 35 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 22 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| German | 33 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 34 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,678 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,419 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +259 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.