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 Dalkeith, accounting for 79.2% (3,485 people). This share was lower than Nedlands (C) (81.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 132 people, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dalkeith - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dalkeith in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nedlands (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dalkeith, with comparison markers for Nedlands (C).
English
2021 count
3,485
% of total
79.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
3,485
79.2%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
265
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
265
6.0%
+1.6pp
Cantonese
2021 count
96
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
96
2.2%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
86
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
86
2.0%
-1.7pp
Indonesian
2021 count
81
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
81
1.8%
+0.7pp
Italian
2021 count
40
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
40
0.9%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
29
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
29
0.7%
+0.4pp
Min Nan
2021 count
28
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
28
0.6%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
27
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
27
0.6%
-0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
27
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
27
0.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+132
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+79
+1.6pp
Cantonese
-17
-0.5pp
Not stated
-70
-1.7pp
Indonesian
+36
+0.7pp
Italian
-1
-0.1pp
Hindi
+15
+0.4pp
Min Nan
-3
-0.1pp
German
-2
-0.1pp
Japanese
+4
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Dalkeith. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nedlands (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Nedlands (C)% | Count | % | Nedlands (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,485 | 79.2% | 81.6% | 3,353 | 79.3% | 80.5% | +132 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 265 | 6.0% | 4.2% | 186 | 4.4% | 3.9% | +79 | +1.6pp |
| Cantonese | 96 | 2.2% | 1.4% | 113 | 2.7% | 1.7% | -17 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 86 | 2.0% | 3.0% | 156 | 3.7% | 4.5% | -70 | -1.7pp |
| Indonesian | 81 | 1.8% | 0.7% | 45 | 1.1% | 0.5% | +36 | +0.7pp |
| Italian | 40 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 41 | 1.0% | 0.8% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 29 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Min Nan | 28 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 31 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| German | 27 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 29 | 0.7% | 0.6% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Japanese | 27 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 23 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,399 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,227 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +172 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.