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 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 used 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
2021 count
9,341
% of total
82.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
9,341
82.2%
+0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,414
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,414
12.5%
-0.8pp
Tagalog
2021 count
75
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
75
0.7%
-0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
64
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
64
0.6%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
33
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
0.3%
+0.1pp
Polish
2021 count
32
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
32
0.3%
0.0pp
Nyungar
2021 count
29
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
29
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
28
0.2%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
28
0.2%
0.0pp
Urdu
2021 count
21
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
21
0.2%
+0.2pp
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 used 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.