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 Shelley (WA), accounting for 64.1% (3,055 people). This share was higher than Canning (C) (52.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 69 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Shelley (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Shelley (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 Shelley (WA), with comparison markers for Canning (C).
English
2021 count
3,055
% of total
64.1%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
3,055
64.1%
-3.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
385
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
385
8.1%
+1.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
126
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
126
2.6%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
110
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
110
2.3%
-1.0pp
Tamil
2021 count
96
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
96
2.0%
+0.8pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
94
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
94
2.0%
+0.5pp
Malayalam
2021 count
75
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
75
1.6%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
71
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
71
1.5%
+0.8pp
Korean
2021 count
68
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
68
1.4%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
54
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
54
1.1%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+11
-3.3pp
Mandarin
+69
+1.1pp
Cantonese
+9
0.0pp
Not stated
-37
-1.0pp
Tamil
+44
+0.8pp
Sinhalese
+26
+0.5pp
Malayalam
+4
0.0pp
Arabic
+38
+0.8pp
Korean
+9
+0.1pp
Hindi
+12
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Shelley (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 | 3,055 | 64.1% | 52.9% | 3,044 | 67.4% | 55.5% | +11 | -3.3pp |
| Mandarin | 385 | 8.1% | 9.8% | 316 | 7.0% | 9.5% | +69 | +1.1pp |
| Cantonese | 126 | 2.6% | 3.3% | 117 | 2.6% | 3.3% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 110 | 2.3% | 4.3% | 147 | 3.3% | 4.8% | -37 | -1.0pp |
| Tamil | 96 | 2.0% | 1.4% | 52 | 1.2% | 1.1% | +44 | +0.8pp |
| Sinhalese | 94 | 2.0% | 1.2% | 68 | 1.5% | 1.1% | +26 | +0.5pp |
| Malayalam | 75 | 1.6% | 1.8% | 71 | 1.6% | 1.5% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 71 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 33 | 0.7% | 1.3% | +38 | +0.8pp |
| Korean | 68 | 1.4% | 1.4% | 59 | 1.3% | 1.4% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 54 | 1.1% | 1.4% | 42 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,765 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +251 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.