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 Dawesville, accounting for 90.4% (6,460 people). This share was higher than Mandurah (C) (87.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,275 people and 1.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Dawesville - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Dawesville in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mandurah (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Dawesville, with comparison markers for Mandurah (C).

Dawesville
Mandurah (C)

English

2021 count

6,460

% of total

90.4%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Not stated

2021 count

346

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

65

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Indonesian

2021 count

21

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

German

2021 count

18

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Spanish

2021 count

18

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Thai

2021 count

16

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Italian

2021 count

15

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Polish

2021 count

14

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Dutch

2021 count

12

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Dawesville. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mandurah (C).
Language used at home for Dawesville. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mandurah (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mandurah (C)%Count%Mandurah (C)%Countpp
English6,46090.4%87.3%5,18589.2%86.8%+1,275+1.2pp
Not stated3464.8%5.9%3405.8%6.4%+6-1.0pp
Afrikaans650.9%0.7%470.8%0.7%+18+0.1pp
Indonesian210.3%0.2%100.2%0.2%+11+0.1pp
German180.3%0.2%190.3%0.3%-10.0pp
Spanish180.3%0.2%80.1%0.2%+10+0.2pp
Thai160.2%0.3%80.1%0.3%+8+0.1pp
Italian150.2%0.3%240.4%0.3%-9-0.2pp
Polish140.2%0.1%130.2%0.1%+10.0pp
Dutch120.2%0.2%170.3%0.2%-5-0.1pp
Total7,144100.0%100.0%5,812100.0%100.0%+1,3320.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.