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 (S), accounting for 73.3% (12,426 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 116 people, while its share fell by 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Broome (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Broome (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 Broome (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
12,426
% of total
73.3%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
12,426
73.3%
-2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,460
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
2,460
14.5%
+1.9pp
Bardi
2021 count
206
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
206
1.2%
-0.5pp
Kriol
2021 count
129
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
129
0.8%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
119
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
119
0.7%
+0.5pp
Yawuru
2021 count
102
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
102
0.6%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
96
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
96
0.6%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
92
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
92
0.5%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
92
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
92
0.5%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
90
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
90
0.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+116
-2.7pp
Not stated
+424
+1.9pp
Bardi
-69
-0.5pp
Kriol
-32
-0.2pp
Spanish
+84
+0.5pp
Yawuru
+69
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+17
+0.1pp
Italian
+23
+0.1pp
Tagalog
-9
-0.1pp
German
-2
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Broome (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 | 12,426 | 73.3% | 80.9% | 12,310 | 76.0% | 81.7% | +116 | -2.7pp |
| Not stated | 2,460 | 14.5% | 10.5% | 2,036 | 12.6% | 10.0% | +424 | +1.9pp |
| Bardi | 206 | 1.2% | 0.0% | 275 | 1.7% | 0.1% | -69 | -0.5pp |
| Kriol | 129 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 161 | 1.0% | 0.4% | -32 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 119 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +84 | +0.5pp |
| Yawuru | 102 | 0.6% | 0.0% | 33 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +69 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 96 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 79 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 92 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 69 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 92 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 101 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| German | 90 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 92 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 16,949 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,195 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +754 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.