Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Harvey (S), accounting for 87.2% (24,905 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,099 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Harvey (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Harvey (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 Harvey (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
Not stated
Italian
Filipino
Mandarin
Tagalog
Afrikaans
Bislama
Hindi
Malay
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,099
+1.2pp
Not stated
-518
-2.3pp
Italian
-41
-0.2pp
Filipino
+80
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+70
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-11
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
-8
0.0pp
Hindi
+37
+0.1pp
Malay
+26
+0.1pp
Korean
+17
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Harvey (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 | 24,905 | 87.2% | 80.9% | 22,806 | 86.0% | 81.7% | +2,099 | +1.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,431 | 5.0% | 10.5% | 1,949 | 7.3% | 10.0% | -518 | -2.3pp |
| Italian | 339 | 1.2% | 0.4% | 380 | 1.4% | 0.5% | -41 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 239 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 159 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +80 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 228 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 158 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +70 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 169 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 180 | 0.7% | 0.6% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 164 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 172 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -8 | 0.0pp |
| Bislama | 59 | 0.2% | 0.0% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Hindi | 57 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 20 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +37 | +0.1pp |
| Malay | 47 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +26 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 28,567 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26,525 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,042 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.