Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Perth (C), accounting for 52.5% (14,938 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,714 people and 5.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Perth (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Perth (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Perth (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Spanish
Cantonese
Indonesian
Japanese
Hindi
Vietnamese
Korean
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,714
+5.5pp
Not stated
-747
-6.4pp
Mandarin
+767
+0.9pp
Spanish
+324
+0.8pp
Cantonese
+103
-0.3pp
Indonesian
+214
+0.5pp
Japanese
+70
-0.1pp
Hindi
+82
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+185
+0.5pp
Korean
-222
-1.4pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Perth (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 | 14,938 | 52.5% | 74.0% | 10,224 | 47.0% | 73.5% | +4,714 | +5.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,782 | 9.8% | 5.1% | 3,529 | 16.2% | 6.4% | -747 | -6.4pp |
| Mandarin | 2,398 | 8.4% | 2.3% | 1,631 | 7.5% | 2.3% | +767 | +0.9pp |
| Spanish | 700 | 2.5% | 0.6% | 376 | 1.7% | 0.5% | +324 | +0.8pp |
| Cantonese | 685 | 2.4% | 0.9% | 582 | 2.7% | 1.0% | +103 | -0.3pp |
| Indonesian | 436 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 222 | 1.0% | 0.5% | +214 | +0.5pp |
| Japanese | 416 | 1.5% | 0.3% | 346 | 1.6% | 0.3% | +70 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 379 | 1.3% | 0.5% | 297 | 1.4% | 0.5% | +82 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 361 | 1.3% | 1.0% | 176 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +185 | +0.5pp |
| Korean | 360 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 582 | 2.7% | 0.3% | -222 | -1.4pp |
| Total | 28,445 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,766 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,679 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.