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 West Busselton, accounting for 90.1% (7,978 people). This share was higher than Busselton (C) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 7,570 people and 43.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

West Busselton - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for West Busselton 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 West Busselton, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).

West Busselton
Busselton (C)

English

2021 count

7,978

% of total

90.1%

Change from 2016

+43.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

451

% of total

5.1%

Change from 2016

-45.2pp

Hazaraghi

2021 count

42

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-

German

2021 count

41

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-

Italian

2021 count

35

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-1.1pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

31

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Thai

2021 count

25

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-

Afrikaans

2021 count

24

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-

Tagalog

2021 count

24

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-

Punjabi

2021 count

22

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for West Busselton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Busselton (C).

Language used at home for West Busselton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Busselton (C).
Language used at home for West Busselton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Busselton (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Busselton (C)%Count%Busselton (C)%Countpp
English7,97890.1%89.0%40846.5%88.3%+7,570+43.6pp
Not stated4515.1%5.8%44250.3%7.1%+9-45.2pp
Hazaraghi420.5%0.2%--0.2%--
German410.5%0.6%--0.4%--
Italian350.4%0.3%131.5%0.4%+22-1.1pp
Vietnamese310.4%0.2%30.3%0.2%+28+0.1pp
Thai250.3%0.2%--0.2%--
Afrikaans240.3%0.4%--0.3%--
Tagalog240.3%0.1%--0.2%--
Punjabi220.2%0.2%--0.1%--
Total8,855100.0%100.0%878100.0%100.0%+7,9770.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.