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 Ferndale (WA), accounting for 74.4% (3,283 people). This share was higher than Canning (C) (52.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 51 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ferndale (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ferndale (WA) 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 Ferndale (WA), with comparison markers for Canning (C).
English
2021 count
3,283
% of total
74.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
3,283
74.4%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
234
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
234
5.3%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
196
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
196
4.4%
+1.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
54
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
54
1.2%
+0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
33
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
33
0.7%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
29
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
29
0.7%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
29
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
29
0.7%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
28
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
28
0.6%
-0.1pp
Indonesian
2021 count
26
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
26
0.6%
-0.4pp
Malay
2021 count
26
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1
-1.6pp
Not stated
+21
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+51
+1.0pp
Cantonese
+18
+0.4pp
Arabic
-3
-0.1pp
Spanish
+7
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+6
+0.2pp
Filipino
-4
-0.1pp
Indonesian
-17
-0.4pp
Malay
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ferndale (WA). 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 | 3,283 | 74.4% | 52.9% | 3,284 | 76.0% | 55.5% | -1 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 234 | 5.3% | 4.3% | 213 | 4.9% | 4.8% | +21 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 196 | 4.4% | 9.8% | 145 | 3.4% | 9.5% | +51 | +1.0pp |
| Cantonese | 54 | 1.2% | 3.3% | 36 | 0.8% | 3.3% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Arabic | 33 | 0.7% | 1.5% | 36 | 0.8% | 1.3% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 29 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 22 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 29 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 23 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 28 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 32 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Indonesian | 26 | 0.6% | 1.7% | 43 | 1.0% | 1.8% | -17 | -0.4pp |
| Malay | 26 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 24 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,414 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,322 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +92 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.