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 Willetton, accounting for 52.8% (10,164 people). This share was similar to Canning (C) (52.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 604 people and 2.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Willetton - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Willetton
Canning (C)

English

2021 count

10,164

% of total

52.8%

Change from 2016

-6.4pp

Mandarin

2021 count

2,731

% of total

14.2%

Change from 2016

+2.5pp

Cantonese

2021 count

920

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Malayalam

2021 count

585

% of total

3.0%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Tamil

2021 count

513

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

474

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Hindi

2021 count

346

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Korean

2021 count

331

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Sinhalese

2021 count

318

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Indonesian

2021 count

231

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Willetton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).
Language used at home for Willetton. 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
English10,16452.8%52.9%10,74159.2%55.5%-577-6.4pp
Mandarin2,73114.2%9.8%2,12711.7%9.5%+604+2.5pp
Cantonese9204.8%3.3%8044.4%3.3%+116+0.4pp
Malayalam5853.0%1.8%3902.1%1.5%+195+0.9pp
Tamil5132.7%1.4%3051.7%1.1%+208+1.0pp
Not stated4742.5%4.3%4622.5%4.8%+120.0pp
Hindi3461.8%1.4%2671.5%1.3%+79+0.3pp
Korean3311.7%1.4%3391.9%1.4%-8-0.2pp
Sinhalese3181.7%1.2%2701.5%1.1%+48+0.2pp
Indonesian2311.2%1.7%2241.2%1.8%+70.0pp
Total19,253100.0%100.0%18,154100.0%100.0%+1,0990.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.