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 Murray (S), accounting for 89.7% (16,182 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,292 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Murray (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Murray (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 Murray (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
16,182
% of total
89.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
16,182
89.7%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,346
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,346
7.5%
-0.4pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
99
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
99
0.5%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
46
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
46
0.3%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
45
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
45
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
39
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
39
0.2%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
33
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
27
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
27
0.1%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
22
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22
0.1%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
21
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
21
0.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,292
+0.4pp
Not stated
+29
-0.4pp
Afrikaans
+50
+0.2pp
Italian
-27
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+18
0.0pp
Thai
+9
0.0pp
Filipino
-3
0.0pp
Mandarin
+21
+0.1pp
Dutch
+1
0.0pp
German
-11
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Murray (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 | 16,182 | 89.7% | 80.9% | 14,890 | 89.3% | 81.7% | +1,292 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,346 | 7.5% | 10.5% | 1,317 | 7.9% | 10.0% | +29 | -0.4pp |
| Afrikaans | 99 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 49 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +50 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 46 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 73 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 45 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 39 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 30 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 33 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 27 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.4% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 22 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| German | 21 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 18,035 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,679 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,356 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.