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 Canning (C), accounting for 52.9% (50,748 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 1,274 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Canning (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Canning (C) 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 Canning (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
50,748
% of total
52.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
50,748
52.9%
-2.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
9,393
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
9,393
9.8%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,116
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
4,116
4.3%
-0.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
3,138
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3,138
3.3%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
2,880
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
2,880
3.0%
+1.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
1,716
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,716
1.8%
+0.3pp
Indonesian
2021 count
1,668
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,668
1.7%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
1,423
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,423
1.5%
+0.2pp
Hindi
2021 count
1,349
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,349
1.4%
+0.1pp
Tamil
2021 count
1,337
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,337
1.4%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+660
-2.6pp
Mandarin
+803
+0.3pp
Not stated
-172
-0.5pp
Cantonese
+194
0.0pp
Punjabi
+1,274
+1.2pp
Malayalam
+384
+0.3pp
Indonesian
+46
-0.1pp
Arabic
+256
+0.2pp
Hindi
+191
+0.1pp
Tamil
+372
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Canning (C). 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 | 50,748 | 52.9% | 74.0% | 50,088 | 55.5% | 73.5% | +660 | -2.6pp |
| Mandarin | 9,393 | 9.8% | 2.3% | 8,590 | 9.5% | 2.3% | +803 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 4,116 | 4.3% | 5.1% | 4,288 | 4.8% | 6.4% | -172 | -0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 3,138 | 3.3% | 0.9% | 2,944 | 3.3% | 1.0% | +194 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 2,880 | 3.0% | 0.9% | 1,606 | 1.8% | 0.6% | +1,274 | +1.2pp |
| Malayalam | 1,716 | 1.8% | 0.4% | 1,332 | 1.5% | 0.4% | +384 | +0.3pp |
| Indonesian | 1,668 | 1.7% | 0.5% | 1,622 | 1.8% | 0.5% | +46 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 1,423 | 1.5% | 0.7% | 1,167 | 1.3% | 0.7% | +256 | +0.2pp |
| Hindi | 1,349 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 1,158 | 1.3% | 0.5% | +191 | +0.1pp |
| Tamil | 1,337 | 1.4% | 0.4% | 965 | 1.1% | 0.3% | +372 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 95,845 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 90,190 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,655 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.