Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Northam (S), accounting for 82.2% (9,341 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 258 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Northam (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Northam (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 Northam (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
Not stated
Tagalog
Filipino
Malayalam
Polish
Nyungar
German
Afrikaans
Urdu
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+258
+0.4pp
Not stated
-59
-0.8pp
Tagalog
-39
-0.3pp
Filipino
+12
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+13
+0.1pp
Polish
+2
0.0pp
Nyungar
+16
+0.2pp
German
-10
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
+1
0.0pp
Urdu
+16
+0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Northam (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 | 9,341 | 82.2% | 80.9% | 9,083 | 81.8% | 81.7% | +258 | +0.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,414 | 12.5% | 10.5% | 1,473 | 13.3% | 10.0% | -59 | -0.8pp |
| Tagalog | 75 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 114 | 1.0% | 0.6% | -39 | -0.3pp |
| Filipino | 64 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 52 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 33 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 20 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Polish | 32 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 30 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Nyungar | 29 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| German | 28 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 38 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 28 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 21 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 11,357 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +257 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.