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 Meekatharra (S), accounting for 62.1% (731 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Wajarri, which increased by 27 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Meekatharra (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Meekatharra (S) 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 Meekatharra (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
731
% of total
62.1%
Change from 2016
-9.7pp
731
62.1%
-9.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
298
% of total
25.3%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
298
25.3%
+2.7pp
Wajarri
2021 count
34
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
34
2.9%
+2.2pp
Martu Wangka
2021 count
18
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
18
1.5%
-
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
13
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
13
1.1%
-0.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
11
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
11
0.9%
+0.6pp
Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec
2021 count
10
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.8%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-20
-9.7pp
Not stated
+62
+2.7pp
Wajarri
+27
+2.2pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-5
-0.6pp
Mandarin
+8
+0.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Meekatharra (S). 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 | 731 | 62.1% | 80.9% | 751 | 71.8% | 81.7% | -20 | -9.7pp |
| Not stated | 298 | 25.3% | 10.5% | 236 | 22.6% | 10.0% | +62 | +2.7pp |
| Wajarri | 34 | 2.9% | 0.0% | 7 | 0.7% | 0.0% | +27 | +2.2pp |
| Martu Wangka | 18 | 1.5% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 13 | 1.1% | 0.1% | 18 | 1.7% | 0.3% | -5 | -0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 11 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.6pp |
| Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec | 10 | 0.8% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 1,178 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,046 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +132 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.