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 Merredin (S), accounting for 84.3% (2,603 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 261 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Merredin (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Merredin (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 Merredin (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
2,603
% of total
84.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
2,603
84.3%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
361
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
361
11.7%
+4.3pp
Italian
2021 count
15
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15
0.5%
-0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
14
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
14
0.5%
-0.7pp
Malayalam
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10
0.3%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.3%
0.0pp
Shona
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-261
-1.2pp
Not stated
+112
+4.3pp
Italian
-4
-0.1pp
Filipino
-25
-0.7pp
Malayalam
+6
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-1
0.0pp
Shona
+4
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Merredin (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 | 2,603 | 84.3% | 80.9% | 2,864 | 85.5% | 81.7% | -261 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 361 | 11.7% | 10.5% | 249 | 7.4% | 10.0% | +112 | +4.3pp |
| Italian | 15 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 19 | 0.6% | 0.5% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Filipino | 14 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 39 | 1.2% | 0.4% | -25 | -0.7pp |
| Malayalam | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 10 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 11 | 0.3% | 0.6% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Shona | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,089 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,349 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -260 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.