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 Gosnells (C), accounting for 58.2% (73,536 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Punjabi, which increased by 1,505 people and 1.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Gosnells (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Gosnells (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 Gosnells (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.

Gosnells (C)
Greater Perth

English

2021 count

73,536

% of total

58.2%

Change from 2016

-4.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

7,846

% of total

6.2%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Mandarin

2021 count

6,278

% of total

5.0%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Punjabi

2021 count

3,359

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Arabic

2021 count

2,246

% of total

1.8%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Tamil

2021 count

1,947

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tagalog

2021 count

1,924

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Indonesian

2021 count

1,859

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Cantonese

2021 count

1,851

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Urdu

2021 count

1,809

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Data table

Language used at home for Gosnells (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.

Language used at home for Gosnells (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
Language used at home for Gosnells (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Perth%Count%Greater Perth%Countpp
English73,53658.2%74.0%73,40562.2%73.5%+131-4.0pp
Not stated7,8466.2%5.1%6,9125.9%6.4%+934+0.3pp
Mandarin6,2785.0%2.3%6,2115.3%2.3%+67-0.3pp
Punjabi3,3592.7%0.9%1,8541.6%0.6%+1,505+1.1pp
Arabic2,2461.8%0.7%1,8361.6%0.7%+410+0.2pp
Tamil1,9471.5%0.4%1,6111.4%0.3%+336+0.1pp
Tagalog1,9241.5%0.7%1,5821.3%0.6%+342+0.2pp
Indonesian1,8591.5%0.5%1,6501.4%0.5%+209+0.1pp
Cantonese1,8511.5%0.9%1,9671.7%1.0%-116-0.2pp
Urdu1,8091.4%0.4%9870.8%0.3%+822+0.6pp
Total126,377100.0%100.0%118,034100.0%100.0%+8,3430.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.