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 Chittering (S), accounting for 87.9% (5,208 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 388 people, while its share fell by 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Chittering (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Chittering (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Chittering (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
5,208
% of total
87.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
5,208
87.9%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
464
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
464
7.8%
-0.7pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
35
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
35
0.6%
+0.4pp
Aboriginal English, so described
2021 count
26
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
26
0.4%
-
Dutch
2021 count
20
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
20
0.3%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12
0.2%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Croatian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+388
-0.4pp
Not stated
+2
-0.7pp
Afrikaans
+25
+0.4pp
Dutch
-3
-0.1pp
Italian
-2
-0.1pp
German
+2
0.0pp
Greek
+1
0.0pp
Croatian
+1
0.0pp
Arabic
-1
0.0pp
Thai
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Chittering (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 | 5,208 | 87.9% | 80.9% | 4,820 | 88.3% | 81.7% | +388 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 464 | 7.8% | 10.5% | 462 | 8.5% | 10.0% | +2 | -0.7pp |
| Afrikaans | 35 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +25 | +0.4pp |
| Aboriginal English, so described | 26 | 0.4% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Dutch | 20 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 12 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| German | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Croatian | 11 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,928 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,458 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +470 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.