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 Greater Geraldton (C), accounting for 82.6% (32,606 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 230 people, while its share fell by 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Greater Geraldton (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Greater Geraldton (C) 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 Greater Geraldton (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
32,606
% of total
82.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
32,606
82.6%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,912
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
3,912
9.9%
+1.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
283
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
283
0.7%
-0.1pp
Malay
2021 count
281
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
281
0.7%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
203
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
203
0.5%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
159
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
159
0.4%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
154
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
154
0.4%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
154
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
154
0.4%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
132
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
132
0.3%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
131
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
131
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+230
-1.2pp
Not stated
+489
+1.0pp
Afrikaans
-26
-0.1pp
Malay
-17
-0.1pp
Tagalog
-33
-0.1pp
Italian
-69
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
+55
+0.1pp
Filipino
-19
0.0pp
Mandarin
+33
0.0pp
Malayalam
+33
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Greater Geraldton (C). 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 | 32,606 | 82.6% | 80.9% | 32,376 | 83.8% | 81.7% | +230 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 3,912 | 9.9% | 10.5% | 3,423 | 8.9% | 10.0% | +489 | +1.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 283 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 309 | 0.8% | 0.5% | -26 | -0.1pp |
| Malay | 281 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 298 | 0.8% | 0.2% | -17 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 203 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 236 | 0.6% | 0.6% | -33 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 159 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 228 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -69 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 154 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 99 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +55 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 154 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 173 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -19 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 132 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 99 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +33 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 131 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 98 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +33 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 39,464 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 38,656 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +808 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.