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 Lakelands (WA), accounting for 84.3% (5,186 people). This share was lower than Mandurah (C) (87.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,175 people, while its share fell by 15.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lakelands (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lakelands (WA) 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 Lakelands (WA), with comparison markers for Mandurah (C).
English
2021 count
5,186
% of total
84.3%
Change from 2016
-15.7pp
5,186
84.3%
-15.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
266
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-
266
4.3%
-
Filipino
2021 count
76
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
76
1.2%
-
Afrikaans
2021 count
71
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
71
1.2%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
61
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
61
1.0%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
39
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
39
0.6%
-
Malayalam
2021 count
35
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
35
0.6%
-
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
35
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
35
0.6%
-
Hindi
2021 count
23
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
23
0.4%
-
Shona
2021 count
21
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
21
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,175
-15.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lakelands (WA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mandurah (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mandurah (C)% | Count | % | Mandurah (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,186 | 84.3% | 87.3% | 11 | 100.0% | 86.8% | +5,175 | -15.7pp |
| Not stated | 266 | 4.3% | 5.9% | - | - | 6.4% | - | - |
| Filipino | 76 | 1.2% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Afrikaans | 71 | 1.2% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 61 | 1.0% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 39 | 0.6% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Malayalam | 35 | 0.6% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 35 | 0.6% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Hindi | 23 | 0.4% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Shona | 21 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 6,151 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,140 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.