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 Coolgardie (S), accounting for 72.3% (2,503 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 412 people and 9.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Coolgardie (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Coolgardie (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 Coolgardie (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.

Coolgardie (S)
Regional WA

English

2021 count

2,503

% of total

72.3%

Change from 2016

-9.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

791

% of total

22.8%

Change from 2016

+9.8pp

Wangkatha

2021 count

17

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Tagalog

2021 count

14

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Thai

2021 count

11

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Language used at home for Coolgardie (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.

Language used at home for Coolgardie (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Language used at home for Coolgardie (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional WA%Count%Regional WA%Countpp
English2,50372.3%80.9%2,91581.5%81.7%-412-9.2pp
Not stated79122.8%10.5%46413.0%10.0%+327+9.8pp
Wangkatha170.5%0.1%250.7%0.0%-8-0.2pp
Tagalog140.4%0.5%170.5%0.6%-3-0.1pp
Thai110.3%0.2%100.3%0.2%+10.0pp
Total3,463100.0%100.0%3,575100.0%100.0%-1120.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.