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 Carnarvon (S), accounting for 70.1% (3,674 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 293 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Carnarvon (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Carnarvon (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 Carnarvon (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
3,674
% of total
70.1%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
3,674
70.1%
-2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
909
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
909
17.3%
+1.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
165
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
165
3.1%
-0.7pp
Portuguese
2021 count
58
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
58
1.1%
+0.2pp
Croatian
2021 count
46
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
46
0.9%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
40
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
40
0.8%
0.0pp
Malay
2021 count
35
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
35
0.7%
-
Tongan
2021 count
30
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
30
0.6%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
22
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
22
0.4%
-0.2pp
French
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.4%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-293
-2.2pp
Not stated
+49
+1.6pp
Vietnamese
-44
-0.7pp
Portuguese
+10
+0.2pp
Croatian
-1
0.0pp
Mandarin
-3
0.0pp
Tongan
+23
+0.5pp
Italian
-13
-0.2pp
French
-5
0.0pp
Hindi
-4
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Carnarvon (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 | 3,674 | 70.1% | 80.9% | 3,967 | 72.3% | 81.7% | -293 | -2.2pp |
| Not stated | 909 | 17.3% | 10.5% | 860 | 15.7% | 10.0% | +49 | +1.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 165 | 3.1% | 0.2% | 209 | 3.8% | 0.2% | -44 | -0.7pp |
| Portuguese | 58 | 1.1% | 0.1% | 48 | 0.9% | 0.1% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Croatian | 46 | 0.9% | 0.0% | 47 | 0.9% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 40 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 43 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Malay | 35 | 0.7% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Tongan | 30 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +23 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 22 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 35 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -13 | -0.2pp |
| French | 19 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 24 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,243 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,488 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -245 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.