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 Cockburn (C), accounting for 74% (87,418 people). This share was similar to Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 11,832 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cockburn (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cockburn (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cockburn (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
87,418
% of total
74.0%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
87,418
74.0%
+1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
5,178
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
5,178
4.4%
-1.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
3,129
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,129
2.6%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
2,354
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,354
2.0%
-0.4pp
Portuguese
2021 count
1,469
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,469
1.2%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
1,433
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,433
1.2%
-0.1pp
Croatian
2021 count
1,382
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,382
1.2%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
1,048
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,048
0.9%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
940
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
940
0.8%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
887
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
887
0.8%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+11,832
+1.6pp
Not stated
-1,246
-1.8pp
Mandarin
+295
-0.1pp
Italian
-131
-0.4pp
Portuguese
+22
-0.2pp
Tagalog
+82
-0.1pp
Croatian
-71
-0.2pp
Spanish
+155
0.0pp
Filipino
+176
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+87
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cockburn (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | pp | |
| English | 87,418 | 74.0% | 74.0% | 75,586 | 72.4% | 73.5% | +11,832 | +1.6pp |
| Not stated | 5,178 | 4.4% | 5.1% | 6,424 | 6.2% | 6.4% | -1,246 | -1.8pp |
| Mandarin | 3,129 | 2.6% | 2.3% | 2,834 | 2.7% | 2.3% | +295 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 2,354 | 2.0% | 1.1% | 2,485 | 2.4% | 1.4% | -131 | -0.4pp |
| Portuguese | 1,469 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 1,447 | 1.4% | 0.3% | +22 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 1,433 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 1,351 | 1.3% | 0.6% | +82 | -0.1pp |
| Croatian | 1,382 | 1.2% | 0.2% | 1,453 | 1.4% | 0.3% | -71 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 1,048 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 893 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +155 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 940 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 764 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +176 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 887 | 0.8% | 0.9% | 800 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +87 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 118,090 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 104,437 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13,653 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.