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 Broadwater (WA), accounting for 89.6% (3,825 people). This share was higher than Busselton (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 149 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Broadwater (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Broadwater (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Busselton (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Broadwater (WA), with comparison markers for Busselton (C).
English
2021 count
3,825
% of total
89.6%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
3,825
89.6%
+2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
217
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
217
5.1%
-3.4pp
German
2021 count
30
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
0.7%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
24
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
24
0.6%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.4%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.3%
+0.2pp
Dutch
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
13
0.3%
-0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.3%
+0.1pp
Polish
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.2%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+149
+2.7pp
Not stated
-143
-3.4pp
German
+2
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+4
+0.1pp
Italian
-1
0.0pp
French
+9
+0.2pp
Dutch
-2
-0.1pp
Japanese
+4
+0.1pp
Polish
+7
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Broadwater (WA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Busselton (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Busselton (C)% | Count | % | Busselton (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,825 | 89.6% | 89.0% | 3,676 | 86.9% | 88.3% | +149 | +2.7pp |
| Not stated | 217 | 5.1% | 5.8% | 360 | 8.5% | 7.1% | -143 | -3.4pp |
| German | 30 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 28 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 24 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 20 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 16 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| French | 14 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Dutch | 13 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 15 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Japanese | 13 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Polish | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,267 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,231 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +36 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.