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 Wilson, accounting for 58.9% (3,887 people). This share was higher than Canning (C) (52.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 246 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wilson - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wilson 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 Wilson, with comparison markers for Canning (C).
English
2021 count
3,887
% of total
58.9%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
3,887
58.9%
+1.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
618
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
618
9.4%
-1.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
285
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
285
4.3%
-1.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
195
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
195
3.0%
+0.6pp
Indonesian
2021 count
156
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
156
2.4%
+0.5pp
Other Southern Asian Languages
2021 count
106
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
106
1.6%
+0.9pp
Urdu
2021 count
105
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
105
1.6%
+0.8pp
Punjabi
2021 count
95
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
95
1.4%
+0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
90
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
90
1.4%
+0.2pp
Korean
2021 count
87
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
87
1.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+246
+1.7pp
Mandarin
-90
-1.7pp
Not stated
-82
-1.5pp
Cantonese
+40
+0.6pp
Indonesian
+34
+0.5pp
Other Southern Asian Languages
+62
+0.9pp
Urdu
+52
+0.8pp
Punjabi
+45
+0.6pp
Arabic
+12
+0.2pp
Korean
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wilson. 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 | 3,887 | 58.9% | 52.9% | 3,641 | 57.2% | 55.5% | +246 | +1.7pp |
| Mandarin | 618 | 9.4% | 9.8% | 708 | 11.1% | 9.5% | -90 | -1.7pp |
| Not stated | 285 | 4.3% | 4.3% | 367 | 5.8% | 4.8% | -82 | -1.5pp |
| Cantonese | 195 | 3.0% | 3.3% | 155 | 2.4% | 3.3% | +40 | +0.6pp |
| Indonesian | 156 | 2.4% | 1.7% | 122 | 1.9% | 1.8% | +34 | +0.5pp |
| Other Southern Asian Languages | 106 | 1.6% | 0.6% | 44 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +62 | +0.9pp |
| Urdu | 105 | 1.6% | 1.4% | 53 | 0.8% | 0.9% | +52 | +0.8pp |
| Punjabi | 95 | 1.4% | 3.0% | 50 | 0.8% | 1.8% | +45 | +0.6pp |
| Arabic | 90 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 78 | 1.2% | 1.3% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Korean | 87 | 1.3% | 1.4% | 84 | 1.3% | 1.4% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,595 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,365 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +230 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.