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 East Cannington, accounting for 38.6% (2,511 people). This share was lower than Canning (C) (52.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 327 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Cannington - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for East Cannington 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 East Cannington, with comparison markers for Canning (C).
English
2021 count
2,511
% of total
38.6%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
2,511
38.6%
-5.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
555
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
555
8.5%
+4.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
479
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
479
7.4%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
387
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
387
6.0%
-0.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
212
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
212
3.3%
-0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
189
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
189
2.9%
+1.1pp
Turkish
2021 count
162
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
162
2.5%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
147
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
147
2.3%
+1.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
146
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
146
2.2%
+0.3pp
Hindi
2021 count
132
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
132
2.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+135
-5.6pp
Punjabi
+327
+4.3pp
Mandarin
+75
-0.1pp
Not stated
+24
-0.8pp
Arabic
+22
-0.2pp
Malayalam
+90
+1.1pp
Turkish
+33
+0.1pp
Nepali
+91
+1.3pp
Cantonese
+42
+0.3pp
Hindi
+19
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for East Cannington. 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 | 2,511 | 38.6% | 52.9% | 2,376 | 44.2% | 55.5% | +135 | -5.6pp |
| Punjabi | 555 | 8.5% | 3.0% | 228 | 4.2% | 1.8% | +327 | +4.3pp |
| Mandarin | 479 | 7.4% | 9.8% | 404 | 7.5% | 9.5% | +75 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 387 | 6.0% | 4.3% | 363 | 6.8% | 4.8% | +24 | -0.8pp |
| Arabic | 212 | 3.3% | 1.5% | 190 | 3.5% | 1.3% | +22 | -0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 189 | 2.9% | 1.8% | 99 | 1.8% | 1.5% | +90 | +1.1pp |
| Turkish | 162 | 2.5% | 0.5% | 129 | 2.4% | 0.5% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 147 | 2.3% | 0.9% | 56 | 1.0% | 0.4% | +91 | +1.3pp |
| Cantonese | 146 | 2.2% | 3.3% | 104 | 1.9% | 3.3% | +42 | +0.3pp |
| Hindi | 132 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 113 | 2.1% | 1.3% | +19 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 6,502 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,375 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,127 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.