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 Cambridge (T), accounting for 82.5% (23,810 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,105 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cambridge (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cambridge (T) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cambridge (T), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
23,810
% of total
82.5%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
23,810
82.5%
+1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
852
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
852
3.0%
-2.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
672
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
672
2.3%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
367
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
367
1.3%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
221
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
221
0.8%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
204
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
204
0.7%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
199
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
199
0.7%
-0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
179
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
179
0.6%
-0.2pp
German
2021 count
163
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
163
0.6%
0.0pp
Japanese
2021 count
153
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
153
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,105
+1.4pp
Not stated
-516
-2.1pp
Mandarin
+202
+0.5pp
Italian
-21
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+50
+0.2pp
Spanish
+56
+0.1pp
French
-30
-0.2pp
Greek
-29
-0.2pp
German
-9
0.0pp
Japanese
+14
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cambridge (T). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | pp | |
| English | 23,810 | 82.5% | 74.0% | 21,705 | 81.1% | 73.5% | +2,105 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 852 | 3.0% | 5.1% | 1,368 | 5.1% | 6.4% | -516 | -2.1pp |
| Mandarin | 672 | 2.3% | 2.3% | 470 | 1.8% | 2.3% | +202 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 367 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 388 | 1.4% | 1.4% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 221 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 171 | 0.6% | 1.0% | +50 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 204 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 148 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +56 | +0.1pp |
| French | 199 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 229 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -30 | -0.2pp |
| Greek | 179 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 208 | 0.8% | 0.2% | -29 | -0.2pp |
| German | 163 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 172 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -9 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 153 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 139 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 28,863 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26,778 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,085 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.