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 Nedlands (C), accounting for 81.6% (18,036 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,050 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Nedlands (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Nedlands (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 Nedlands (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
18,036
% of total
81.6%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
18,036
81.6%
+1.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
918
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
918
4.2%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
663
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
663
3.0%
-1.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
305
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
305
1.4%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
153
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
153
0.7%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
149
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
149
0.7%
-0.1pp
Indonesian
2021 count
144
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
144
0.7%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
129
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
129
0.6%
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
90
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
90
0.4%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
87
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
87
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,050
+1.1pp
Mandarin
+97
+0.3pp
Not stated
-289
-1.5pp
Cantonese
-44
-0.3pp
Italian
-7
-0.1pp
French
-12
-0.1pp
Indonesian
+38
+0.2pp
German
+4
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+23
+0.1pp
Hindi
+27
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Nedlands (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 | 18,036 | 81.6% | 74.0% | 16,986 | 80.5% | 73.5% | +1,050 | +1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 918 | 4.2% | 2.3% | 821 | 3.9% | 2.3% | +97 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 663 | 3.0% | 5.1% | 952 | 4.5% | 6.4% | -289 | -1.5pp |
| Cantonese | 305 | 1.4% | 0.9% | 349 | 1.7% | 1.0% | -44 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 153 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 160 | 0.8% | 1.4% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| French | 149 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 161 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Indonesian | 144 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 106 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +38 | +0.2pp |
| German | 129 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 125 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 90 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 67 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 87 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 60 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +27 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 22,110 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,090 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,020 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.