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 Bentley (WA) (part), accounting for 45.2% (4,083 people). This share was lower than Canning (C) (52.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 367 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bentley (WA) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bentley (WA) (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Canning (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bentley (WA) (part), with comparison markers for Canning (C).
English
2021 count
4,083
% of total
45.2%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
4,083
45.2%
+2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,072
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
1,072
11.9%
+1.9pp
Mandarin
2021 count
663
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
663
7.3%
-3.7pp
Other Southern Asian Languages
2021 count
282
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
282
3.1%
+1.5pp
Urdu
2021 count
239
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
239
2.6%
+1.7pp
Indonesian
2021 count
223
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
223
2.5%
-0.9pp
Cantonese
2021 count
204
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
204
2.3%
-0.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
164
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
164
1.8%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
162
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
162
1.8%
+0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
151
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
151
1.7%
+1.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+367
+2.7pp
Not stated
+201
+1.9pp
Mandarin
-296
-3.7pp
Other Southern Asian Languages
+141
+1.5pp
Urdu
+160
+1.7pp
Indonesian
-77
-0.9pp
Cantonese
-52
-0.6pp
Punjabi
+12
+0.1pp
Arabic
+30
+0.3pp
Nepali
+113
+1.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bentley (WA) (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Canning (C)% | Count | % | Canning (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,083 | 45.2% | 52.9% | 3,716 | 42.5% | 55.5% | +367 | +2.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,072 | 11.9% | 4.3% | 871 | 10.0% | 4.8% | +201 | +1.9pp |
| Mandarin | 663 | 7.3% | 9.8% | 959 | 11.0% | 9.5% | -296 | -3.7pp |
| Other Southern Asian Languages | 282 | 3.1% | 0.6% | 141 | 1.6% | 0.3% | +141 | +1.5pp |
| Urdu | 239 | 2.6% | 1.4% | 79 | 0.9% | 0.9% | +160 | +1.7pp |
| Indonesian | 223 | 2.5% | 1.7% | 300 | 3.4% | 1.8% | -77 | -0.9pp |
| Cantonese | 204 | 2.3% | 3.3% | 256 | 2.9% | 3.3% | -52 | -0.6pp |
| Punjabi | 164 | 1.8% | 3.0% | 152 | 1.7% | 1.8% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 162 | 1.8% | 1.5% | 132 | 1.5% | 1.3% | +30 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 151 | 1.7% | 0.9% | 38 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +113 | +1.3pp |
| Total | 9,030 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,749 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +281 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.