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 East Pilbara (S), accounting for 55.2% (5,386 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,227 people and 7.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Pilbara (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for East Pilbara (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 East Pilbara (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
5,386
% of total
55.2%
Change from 2016
-7.5pp
5,386
55.2%
-7.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,326
% of total
23.9%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
2,326
23.9%
+4.9pp
Martu Wangka
2021 count
582
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
582
6.0%
+1.2pp
Pintupi
2021 count
153
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
153
1.6%
+1.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
106
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
106
1.1%
+0.1pp
Nyangumarta
2021 count
90
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
90
0.9%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
87
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
87
0.9%
+0.4pp
Thai
2021 count
59
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
59
0.6%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
54
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
54
0.6%
+0.3pp
Manyjilyjarra
2021 count
53
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
53
0.5%
-2.2pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,227
-7.5pp
Not stated
+323
+4.9pp
Martu Wangka
+75
+1.2pp
Pintupi
+94
+1.0pp
Tagalog
-1
+0.1pp
Nyangumarta
-2
0.0pp
Filipino
+31
+0.4pp
Thai
+3
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+24
+0.3pp
Manyjilyjarra
-234
-2.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for East Pilbara (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 | 5,386 | 55.2% | 80.9% | 6,613 | 62.7% | 81.7% | -1,227 | -7.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,326 | 23.9% | 10.5% | 2,003 | 19.0% | 10.0% | +323 | +4.9pp |
| Martu Wangka | 582 | 6.0% | 0.1% | 507 | 4.8% | 0.1% | +75 | +1.2pp |
| Pintupi | 153 | 1.6% | 0.0% | 59 | 0.6% | 0.0% | +94 | +1.0pp |
| Tagalog | 106 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 107 | 1.0% | 0.6% | -1 | +0.1pp |
| Nyangumarta | 90 | 0.9% | 0.0% | 92 | 0.9% | 0.0% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 87 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 56 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +31 | +0.4pp |
| Thai | 59 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 56 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 54 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 30 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +24 | +0.3pp |
| Manyjilyjarra | 53 | 0.5% | 0.0% | 287 | 2.7% | 0.1% | -234 | -2.2pp |
| Total | 9,752 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,552 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -800 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.