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 Dunsborough, accounting for 87.3% (5,567 people). This share was lower than Busselton (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 932 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dunsborough - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dunsborough 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 Dunsborough, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).
English
2021 count
5,567
% of total
87.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
5,567
87.3%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
455
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
455
7.1%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
58
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
58
0.9%
+0.2pp
French
2021 count
37
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
37
0.6%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
33
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
33
0.5%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
24
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.4%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
24
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
24
0.4%
-0.3pp
Portuguese
2021 count
21
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.3%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
14
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
14
0.2%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
14
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
14
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+932
+0.4pp
Not stated
+89
+0.2pp
German
+23
+0.2pp
French
+3
0.0pp
Italian
-2
-0.2pp
Spanish
+4
0.0pp
Mandarin
-14
-0.3pp
Portuguese
+4
0.0pp
Dutch
-2
-0.1pp
Greek
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Dunsborough. 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 | 5,567 | 87.3% | 89.0% | 4,635 | 86.9% | 88.3% | +932 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 455 | 7.1% | 5.8% | 366 | 6.9% | 7.1% | +89 | +0.2pp |
| German | 58 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 35 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +23 | +0.2pp |
| French | 37 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 34 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 33 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 35 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 24 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 24 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 38 | 0.7% | 0.2% | -14 | -0.3pp |
| Portuguese | 21 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 14 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 16 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 14 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,376 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,334 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,042 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.