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 Geographe, accounting for 87.4% (3,182 people). This share was lower than Busselton (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 182 people, while its share fell by 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Geographe - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Geographe 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 Geographe, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).
English
2021 count
3,182
% of total
87.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,182
87.4%
-0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
241
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
241
6.6%
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
25
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
25
0.7%
+0.3pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
23
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
23
0.6%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
16
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.4%
0.0pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
14
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.4%
-
Thai
2021 count
14
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.4%
+0.2pp
French
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
12
0.3%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.3%
-
Swedish
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+182
-0.8pp
Not stated
-3
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
+10
+0.3pp
Afrikaans
0
-0.1pp
German
+2
0.0pp
Thai
+6
+0.2pp
French
+7
+0.2pp
Indonesian
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Geographe. 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 | 3,182 | 87.4% | 89.0% | 3,000 | 88.2% | 88.3% | +182 | -0.8pp |
| Not stated | 241 | 6.6% | 5.8% | 244 | 7.2% | 7.1% | -3 | -0.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 25 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 23 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 23 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| German | 16 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 14 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Hazaraghi | 14 | 0.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Thai | 14 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| French | 12 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 12 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Swedish | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 3,642 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,402 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +240 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.