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 Donnybrook-Balingup (S), accounting for 89.1% (5,482 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 390 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Donnybrook-Balingup (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Donnybrook-Balingup (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 Donnybrook-Balingup (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
5,482
% of total
89.1%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
5,482
89.1%
+2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
381
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
381
6.2%
-2.7pp
Italian
2021 count
54
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
54
0.9%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
32
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
32
0.5%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
22
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22
0.4%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
20
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
20
0.3%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.3%
0.0pp
Polish
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.2%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+390
+2.3pp
Not stated
-142
-2.7pp
Italian
-10
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+5
0.0pp
German
-2
0.0pp
Dutch
+13
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+1
0.0pp
Polish
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Donnybrook-Balingup (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 | 5,482 | 89.1% | 80.9% | 5,092 | 86.8% | 81.7% | +390 | +2.3pp |
| Not stated | 381 | 6.2% | 10.5% | 523 | 8.9% | 10.0% | -142 | -2.7pp |
| Italian | 54 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 64 | 1.1% | 0.5% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 32 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 27 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| German | 22 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 24 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 20 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 17 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 16 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Polish | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 6,154 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,868 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +286 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.