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 Wickham (WA), accounting for 71.5% (1,444 people). This share was higher than Karratha (C) (70.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 400 people and 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wickham (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wickham (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Karratha (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wickham (WA), with comparison markers for Karratha (C).
English
2021 count
1,444
% of total
71.5%
Change from 2016
-9.1pp
1,444
71.5%
-9.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
387
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
+7.0pp
387
19.2%
+7.0pp
Thai
2021 count
16
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
16
0.8%
-0.1pp
Yindjibarndi
2021 count
16
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
16
0.8%
+0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
15
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.7%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
13
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
13
0.6%
+0.3pp
Shona
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
12
0.6%
+0.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-400
-9.1pp
Not stated
+107
+7.0pp
Thai
-5
-0.1pp
Yindjibarndi
+5
+0.3pp
Tagalog
+2
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+5
+0.3pp
Shona
+8
+0.4pp
Spanish
0
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wickham (WA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Karratha (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Karratha (C)% | Count | % | Karratha (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,444 | 71.5% | 70.4% | 1,844 | 80.6% | 74.7% | -400 | -9.1pp |
| Not stated | 387 | 19.2% | 17.3% | 280 | 12.2% | 12.9% | +107 | +7.0pp |
| Thai | 16 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 21 | 0.9% | 0.5% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Yindjibarndi | 16 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 11 | 0.5% | 1.5% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 15 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 13 | 0.6% | 1.3% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 13 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Shona | 12 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 10 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 2,020 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,288 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -268 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.