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 Kalgoorlie/Boulder (C), accounting for 76.2% (22,298 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,312 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kalgoorlie/Boulder (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Kalgoorlie/Boulder (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 Kalgoorlie/Boulder (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
22,298
% of total
76.2%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
22,298
76.2%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,262
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
3,262
11.1%
+1.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
330
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
330
1.1%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
307
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
307
1.0%
-0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
277
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
277
0.9%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
199
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
199
0.7%
0.0pp
Shona
2021 count
187
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
187
0.6%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
149
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
149
0.5%
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
141
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
141
0.5%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
127
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
127
0.4%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,312
-2.4pp
Not stated
+275
+1.2pp
Tagalog
+9
0.0pp
Afrikaans
-90
-0.3pp
Filipino
+53
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-21
0.0pp
Shona
+36
+0.1pp
Thai
+31
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
+9
+0.1pp
Hindi
-24
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Kalgoorlie/Boulder (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 | 22,298 | 76.2% | 80.9% | 23,610 | 78.6% | 81.7% | -1,312 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 3,262 | 11.1% | 10.5% | 2,987 | 9.9% | 10.0% | +275 | +1.2pp |
| Tagalog | 330 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 321 | 1.1% | 0.6% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 307 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 397 | 1.3% | 0.5% | -90 | -0.3pp |
| Filipino | 277 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 224 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +53 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 199 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 220 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -21 | 0.0pp |
| Shona | 187 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 151 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +36 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 149 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 118 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +31 | +0.1pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 141 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 132 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 127 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 151 | 0.5% | 0.1% | -24 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 29,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 30,031 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -773 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.