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 Busselton (C), accounting for 89% (36,188 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,792 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Busselton (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Busselton (C) 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 Busselton (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
36,188
% of total
89.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
36,188
89.0%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,359
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
2,359
5.8%
-1.3pp
German
2021 count
232
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
232
0.6%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
177
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
177
0.4%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
140
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
140
0.3%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
127
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
127
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
89
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
89
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
87
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
87
0.2%
0.0pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
83
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
83
0.2%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
77
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
77
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,792
+0.7pp
Not stated
-227
-1.3pp
German
+68
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+51
+0.1pp
Italian
-11
-0.1pp
French
+27
0.0pp
Mandarin
-1
0.0pp
Thai
+23
0.0pp
Hazaraghi
+8
0.0pp
Punjabi
+42
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Busselton (C). 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 | 36,188 | 89.0% | 80.9% | 32,396 | 88.3% | 81.7% | +3,792 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 2,359 | 5.8% | 10.5% | 2,586 | 7.1% | 10.0% | -227 | -1.3pp |
| German | 232 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 164 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +68 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 177 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 126 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +51 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 140 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 151 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| French | 127 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 100 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +27 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 89 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 90 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 87 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 64 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +23 | 0.0pp |
| Hazaraghi | 83 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 75 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 77 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 35 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +42 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 40,645 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36,679 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,966 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.