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 Kalamunda (S), accounting for 83.2% (48,865 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,398 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kalamunda (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Kalamunda (S) 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 Kalamunda (S), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
48,865
% of total
83.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
48,865
83.2%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,501
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
2,501
4.3%
-1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
610
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
610
1.0%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
565
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
565
1.0%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
372
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
372
0.6%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
323
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
323
0.5%
0.0pp
Hazaraghi
2021 count
286
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
286
0.5%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
280
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
280
0.5%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
280
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
280
0.5%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
254
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
254
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,398
+0.6pp
Not stated
-685
-1.2pp
Mandarin
+71
+0.1pp
Italian
-118
-0.2pp
Tagalog
+14
0.0pp
Malayalam
+49
0.0pp
Hazaraghi
+130
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+110
+0.2pp
Filipino
+36
+0.1pp
Hindi
+76
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Kalamunda (S). 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 | 48,865 | 83.2% | 74.0% | 47,467 | 82.6% | 73.5% | +1,398 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 2,501 | 4.3% | 5.1% | 3,186 | 5.5% | 6.4% | -685 | -1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 610 | 1.0% | 2.3% | 539 | 0.9% | 2.3% | +71 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 565 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 683 | 1.2% | 1.4% | -118 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 372 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 358 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 323 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 274 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +49 | 0.0pp |
| Hazaraghi | 286 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 156 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +130 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 280 | 0.5% | 0.9% | 170 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +110 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 280 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 244 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +36 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 254 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 178 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +76 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 58,751 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 57,454 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,297 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.