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 Collie (S), accounting for 89.5% (7,873 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 86 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Collie (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Collie (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 Collie (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
7,873
% of total
89.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
7,873
89.5%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
702
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
702
8.0%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
29
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
29
0.3%
-0.4pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
28
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
28
0.3%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
18
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.2%
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
17
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
13
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.1%
0.0pp
Polish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
11
0.1%
-0.2pp
Auslan
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.1%
-
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+86
+0.9pp
Not stated
-31
-0.3pp
Italian
-36
-0.4pp
Afrikaans
+15
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+5
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
+4
+0.1pp
Filipino
+3
0.0pp
Polish
-12
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Collie (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 | 7,873 | 89.5% | 80.9% | 7,787 | 88.6% | 81.7% | +86 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 702 | 8.0% | 10.5% | 733 | 8.3% | 10.0% | -31 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 29 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 65 | 0.7% | 0.5% | -36 | -0.4pp |
| Afrikaans | 28 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 18 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 17 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 13 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Polish | 11 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -12 | -0.2pp |
| Auslan | 10 | 0.1% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 8,799 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,790 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.