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 Joondalup (C), accounting for 86.2% (137,864 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,209 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Joondalup (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Joondalup (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 Joondalup (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
137,864
% of total
86.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
137,864
86.2%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,948
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
4,948
3.1%
-0.7pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
1,739
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,739
1.1%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,407
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,407
0.9%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
1,108
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,108
0.7%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
854
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
854
0.5%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
731
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
731
0.5%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
720
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
720
0.4%
-0.1pp
Polish
2021 count
645
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
645
0.4%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
587
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
587
0.4%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,209
+0.9pp
Not stated
-959
-0.7pp
Afrikaans
-50
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+33
0.0pp
Italian
-76
-0.1pp
German
-56
-0.1pp
Spanish
+115
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+2
-0.1pp
Polish
-35
0.0pp
Arabic
-55
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Joondalup (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 | 137,864 | 86.2% | 74.0% | 131,655 | 85.3% | 73.5% | +6,209 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 4,948 | 3.1% | 5.1% | 5,907 | 3.8% | 6.4% | -959 | -0.7pp |
| Afrikaans | 1,739 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 1,789 | 1.2% | 0.6% | -50 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 1,407 | 0.9% | 2.3% | 1,374 | 0.9% | 2.3% | +33 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 1,108 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 1,184 | 0.8% | 1.4% | -76 | -0.1pp |
| German | 854 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 910 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -56 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 731 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 616 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +115 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 720 | 0.4% | 0.9% | 718 | 0.5% | 1.0% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Polish | 645 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 680 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -35 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 587 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 642 | 0.4% | 0.7% | -55 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 160,012 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 154,428 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,584 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.