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 Mandurah (C), accounting for 87.3% (78,773 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 8,601 people and 0.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Mandurah (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Mandurah (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 Mandurah (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.

Mandurah (C)
Greater Perth

English

2021 count

78,773

% of total

87.3%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

5,335

% of total

5.9%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

618

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Tagalog

2021 count

451

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Filipino

2021 count

371

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Thai

2021 count

294

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Mandarin

2021 count

278

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Italian

2021 count

244

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Indonesian

2021 count

219

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

German

2021 count

208

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for Mandurah (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.

Language used at home for Mandurah (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
Language used at home for Mandurah (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Perth%Count%Greater Perth%Countpp
English78,77387.3%74.0%70,17286.8%73.5%+8,601+0.5pp
Not stated5,3355.9%5.1%5,1676.4%6.4%+168-0.5pp
Afrikaans6180.7%0.6%5520.7%0.6%+660.0pp
Tagalog4510.5%0.7%3590.4%0.6%+92+0.1pp
Filipino3710.4%0.5%2760.3%0.4%+95+0.1pp
Thai2940.3%0.3%2190.3%0.3%+750.0pp
Mandarin2780.3%2.3%2730.3%2.3%+50.0pp
Italian2440.3%1.1%2790.3%1.4%-350.0pp
Indonesian2190.2%0.5%1450.2%0.5%+740.0pp
German2080.2%0.3%2350.3%0.4%-27-0.1pp
Total90,280100.0%100.0%80,802100.0%100.0%+9,4780.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.