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 Floreat (part), accounting for 86% (7,388 people). This share was higher than Cambridge (T) (82.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 639 people and 0.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Floreat (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Floreat (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cambridge (T) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Floreat (part), with comparison markers for Cambridge (T).

Floreat (part)
Cambridge (T)

English

2021 count

7,388

% of total

86.0%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Mandarin

2021 count

227

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

164

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Italian

2021 count

79

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Cantonese

2021 count

59

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Japanese

2021 count

54

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Greek

2021 count

48

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

French

2021 count

45

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Spanish

2021 count

44

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Dutch

2021 count

35

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

Language used at home for Floreat (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cambridge (T).

Language used at home for Floreat (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cambridge (T).
Language used at home for Floreat (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cambridge (T).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cambridge (T)%Count%Cambridge (T)%Countpp
English7,38886.0%82.5%6,74985.5%81.1%+639+0.5pp
Mandarin2272.6%2.3%1301.6%1.8%+97+1.0pp
Not stated1641.9%3.0%2773.5%5.1%-113-1.6pp
Italian790.9%1.3%881.1%1.4%-9-0.2pp
Cantonese590.7%0.8%470.6%0.6%+12+0.1pp
Japanese540.6%0.5%220.3%0.5%+32+0.3pp
Greek480.6%0.6%590.7%0.8%-11-0.1pp
French450.5%0.7%781.0%0.9%-33-0.5pp
Spanish440.5%0.7%260.3%0.6%+18+0.2pp
Dutch350.4%0.5%580.7%0.5%-23-0.3pp
Total8,592100.0%100.0%7,895100.0%100.0%+6970.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.