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 Melville (C), accounting for 76.1% (78,738 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,832 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Melville (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Melville (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 Melville (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
78,738
% of total
76.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
78,738
76.1%
+0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
4,824
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
4,824
4.7%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,754
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
3,754
3.6%
-1.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
2,079
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,079
2.0%
-0.1pp
Indonesian
2021 count
1,661
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
1,661
1.6%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
1,262
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,262
1.2%
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
696
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
696
0.7%
+0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
657
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
657
0.6%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
624
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
624
0.6%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
455
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
455
0.4%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,832
+0.7pp
Mandarin
+642
+0.4pp
Not stated
-920
-1.2pp
Cantonese
+41
-0.1pp
Indonesian
+303
+0.2pp
Italian
-159
-0.2pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+104
+0.1pp
Korean
+53
0.0pp
Spanish
+63
0.0pp
Hindi
+35
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Melville (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | pp | |
| English | 78,738 | 76.1% | 74.0% | 73,906 | 75.4% | 73.5% | +4,832 | +0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 4,824 | 4.7% | 2.3% | 4,182 | 4.3% | 2.3% | +642 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 3,754 | 3.6% | 5.1% | 4,674 | 4.8% | 6.4% | -920 | -1.2pp |
| Cantonese | 2,079 | 2.0% | 0.9% | 2,038 | 2.1% | 1.0% | +41 | -0.1pp |
| Indonesian | 1,661 | 1.6% | 0.5% | 1,358 | 1.4% | 0.5% | +303 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 1,262 | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1,421 | 1.4% | 1.4% | -159 | -0.2pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 696 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 592 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +104 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 657 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 604 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +53 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 624 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 561 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +63 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 455 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 420 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +35 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 103,503 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 98,067 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,436 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.