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 Capel (S), accounting for 86.6% (15,709 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 939 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Capel (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Capel (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Capel (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
15,709
% of total
86.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15,709
86.6%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
867
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
867
4.8%
-1.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
376
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
376
2.1%
-0.4pp
Tagalog
2021 count
138
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
138
0.8%
+0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
113
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
113
0.6%
+0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
111
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
111
0.6%
+0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
55
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
55
0.3%
0.0pp
Russian
2021 count
52
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
52
0.3%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
49
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
49
0.3%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
48
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
48
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+939
+0.2pp
Not stated
-118
-1.0pp
Afrikaans
-45
-0.4pp
Tagalog
+54
+0.3pp
Filipino
+50
+0.2pp
Malayalam
+89
+0.5pp
Mandarin
-3
0.0pp
Russian
+30
+0.2pp
Italian
-26
-0.1pp
Arabic
+27
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Capel (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 15,709 | 86.6% | 80.9% | 14,770 | 86.4% | 81.7% | +939 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 867 | 4.8% | 10.5% | 985 | 5.8% | 10.0% | -118 | -1.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 376 | 2.1% | 0.5% | 421 | 2.5% | 0.5% | -45 | -0.4pp |
| Tagalog | 138 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 84 | 0.5% | 0.6% | +54 | +0.3pp |
| Filipino | 113 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 63 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +50 | +0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 111 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 22 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +89 | +0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 55 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 58 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Russian | 52 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 22 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +30 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 49 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 75 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -26 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 48 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 18,131 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,098 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,033 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.