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 Rossmoyne, accounting for 69.2% (2,512 people). This share was higher than Canning (C) (52.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 180 people, while its share fell by 0.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Rossmoyne - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Rossmoyne 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 Rossmoyne, with comparison markers for Canning (C).

Rossmoyne
Canning (C)

English

2021 count

2,512

% of total

69.2%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Mandarin

2021 count

350

% of total

9.6%

Change from 2016

+2.7pp

Cantonese

2021 count

110

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

89

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-3.2pp

Malayalam

2021 count

54

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Tamil

2021 count

49

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Sinhalese

2021 count

43

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Hindi

2021 count

41

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Gujarati

2021 count

30

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Indonesian

2021 count

30

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for Rossmoyne. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).

Language used at home for Rossmoyne. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).
Language used at home for Rossmoyne. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Canning (C)%Count%Canning (C)%Countpp
English2,51269.2%52.9%2,33269.9%55.5%+180-0.7pp
Mandarin3509.6%9.8%2296.9%9.5%+121+2.7pp
Cantonese1103.0%3.3%1193.6%3.3%-9-0.6pp
Not stated892.5%4.3%1915.7%4.8%-102-3.2pp
Malayalam541.5%1.8%381.1%1.5%+16+0.4pp
Tamil491.3%1.4%341.0%1.1%+15+0.3pp
Sinhalese431.2%1.2%491.5%1.1%-6-0.3pp
Hindi411.1%1.4%321.0%1.3%+9+0.1pp
Gujarati300.8%0.4%180.5%0.3%+12+0.3pp
Indonesian300.8%1.7%310.9%1.8%-1-0.1pp
Total3,632100.0%100.0%3,336100.0%100.0%+2960.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.