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 Fremantle (C), accounting for 81.1% (25,861 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,702 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Fremantle (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Fremantle (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 Fremantle (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
25,861
% of total
81.1%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
25,861
81.1%
+4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,976
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,976
6.2%
-2.4pp
Italian
2021 count
1,017
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,017
3.2%
-1.3pp
French
2021 count
346
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
346
1.1%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
343
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
343
1.1%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
316
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
316
1.0%
+0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
240
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
240
0.8%
-0.1pp
Croatian
2021 count
185
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
185
0.6%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
121
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
121
0.4%
-0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
111
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
111
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,702
+4.4pp
Not stated
-503
-2.4pp
Italian
-278
-1.3pp
French
+46
+0.1pp
German
+88
+0.2pp
Spanish
+90
+0.2pp
Portuguese
-28
-0.1pp
Croatian
-28
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-15
-0.1pp
Japanese
+9
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Fremantle (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 | 25,861 | 81.1% | 74.0% | 22,159 | 76.7% | 73.5% | +3,702 | +4.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,976 | 6.2% | 5.1% | 2,479 | 8.6% | 6.4% | -503 | -2.4pp |
| Italian | 1,017 | 3.2% | 1.1% | 1,295 | 4.5% | 1.4% | -278 | -1.3pp |
| French | 346 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 300 | 1.0% | 0.4% | +46 | +0.1pp |
| German | 343 | 1.1% | 0.3% | 255 | 0.9% | 0.4% | +88 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 316 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 226 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +90 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 240 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 268 | 0.9% | 0.3% | -28 | -0.1pp |
| Croatian | 185 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 213 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -28 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 121 | 0.4% | 2.3% | 136 | 0.5% | 2.3% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Japanese | 111 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 102 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +9 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 31,900 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,885 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,015 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.