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 Port Hedland (T), accounting for 69.8% (10,907 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 761 people, while its share fell by 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Port Hedland (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Port Hedland (T) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Hedland (T), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
10,907
% of total
69.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
10,907
69.8%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,497
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
2,497
16.0%
+0.5pp
Malay
2021 count
230
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
230
1.5%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
216
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
216
1.4%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
149
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
149
1.0%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
92
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
92
0.6%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
90
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
90
0.6%
+0.1pp
Nyangumarta
2021 count
89
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
89
0.6%
-0.1pp
Indonesian
2021 count
83
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
83
0.5%
-0.1pp
Gujarati
2021 count
80
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
80
0.5%
+0.3pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+761
-0.4pp
Not stated
+252
+0.5pp
Malay
-13
-0.2pp
Tagalog
+27
+0.1pp
Filipino
+22
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
-2
-0.1pp
Thai
+23
+0.1pp
Nyangumarta
-13
-0.1pp
Indonesian
-2
-0.1pp
Gujarati
+51
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Port Hedland (T). 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 | 10,907 | 69.8% | 80.9% | 10,146 | 70.2% | 81.7% | +761 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 2,497 | 16.0% | 10.5% | 2,245 | 15.5% | 10.0% | +252 | +0.5pp |
| Malay | 230 | 1.5% | 0.2% | 243 | 1.7% | 0.2% | -13 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 216 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 189 | 1.3% | 0.6% | +27 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 149 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 127 | 0.9% | 0.4% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 92 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 94 | 0.7% | 0.5% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 90 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 67 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Nyangumarta | 89 | 0.6% | 0.0% | 102 | 0.7% | 0.0% | -13 | -0.1pp |
| Indonesian | 83 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 85 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 80 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 29 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +51 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 15,622 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,460 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,162 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.