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 Karratha (C), accounting for 70.4% (15,589 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 393 people and 4.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Karratha (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Karratha (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 Karratha (C), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
15,589
% of total
70.4%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
15,589
70.4%
-4.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,834
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
3,834
17.3%
+4.4pp
Yindjibarndi
2021 count
315
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
315
1.4%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
247
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
247
1.1%
-0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
173
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
173
0.8%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
154
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
154
0.7%
-0.2pp
Thai
2021 count
147
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
147
0.7%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
111
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
111
0.5%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
94
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
94
0.4%
0.0pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
65
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
65
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-393
-4.3pp
Not stated
+1,063
+4.4pp
Yindjibarndi
+1
-0.1pp
Tagalog
-40
-0.2pp
Filipino
-28
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-43
-0.2pp
Thai
+33
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
-24
-0.1pp
Hindi
+17
0.0pp
Maori (New Zealand)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Karratha (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 | 15,589 | 70.4% | 80.9% | 15,982 | 74.7% | 81.7% | -393 | -4.3pp |
| Not stated | 3,834 | 17.3% | 10.5% | 2,771 | 12.9% | 10.0% | +1,063 | +4.4pp |
| Yindjibarndi | 315 | 1.4% | 0.1% | 314 | 1.5% | 0.1% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 247 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 287 | 1.3% | 0.6% | -40 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 173 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 201 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -28 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 154 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 197 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -43 | -0.2pp |
| Thai | 147 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 114 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +33 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 111 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 135 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -24 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 94 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 77 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 65 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 65 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 22,137 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,404 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +733 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.