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, accounting for 82.2% (5,496 people). This share was similar to Northam (S) (82.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 47 people, while its share fell by 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Northam - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Northam in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Northam (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northam, with comparison markers for Northam (S).
English
2021 count
5,496
% of total
82.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
5,496
82.2%
-1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
719
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
719
10.8%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
66
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
66
1.0%
-0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
38
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
38
0.6%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
33
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
33
0.5%
+0.2pp
Nyungar
2021 count
29
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
29
0.4%
+0.2pp
Polish
2021 count
27
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.4%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
22
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
22
0.3%
-0.1pp
Urdu
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
17
0.3%
+0.2pp
Indonesian
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
17
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+47
-1.3pp
Not stated
+27
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-13
-0.2pp
Filipino
+4
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+13
+0.2pp
Nyungar
+19
+0.2pp
Polish
+2
0.0pp
Afrikaans
-2
-0.1pp
Urdu
+12
+0.2pp
Indonesian
+12
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Northam. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Northam (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Northam (S)% | Count | % | Northam (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,496 | 82.2% | 82.2% | 5,449 | 83.5% | 81.8% | +47 | -1.3pp |
| Not stated | 719 | 10.8% | 12.5% | 692 | 10.6% | 13.3% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 66 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 79 | 1.2% | 1.0% | -13 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 38 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 34 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 33 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Nyungar | 29 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +19 | +0.2pp |
| Polish | 27 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 25 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 22 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 24 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Urdu | 17 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Indonesian | 17 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 6,684 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,525 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +159 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.