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 Baldivis, accounting for 84% (31,662 people). This share was lower than Rockingham (C) (86.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 5,519 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Baldivis - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Baldivis in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Baldivis, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
English
2021 count
31,662
% of total
84.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
31,662
84.0%
+1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,900
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
1,900
5.0%
-2.6pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
445
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
445
1.2%
-0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
354
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
354
0.9%
+0.5pp
Shona
2021 count
217
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
217
0.6%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
210
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
210
0.6%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
173
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
173
0.5%
0.0pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
169
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
169
0.4%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
158
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
158
0.4%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
155
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
155
0.4%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+5,519
+1.3pp
Not stated
-513
-2.6pp
Afrikaans
+18
-0.2pp
Punjabi
+231
+0.5pp
Shona
+90
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+82
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+29
0.0pp
Maori (New Zealand)
+51
0.0pp
Filipino
+85
+0.2pp
Spanish
+13
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Baldivis. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 31,662 | 84.0% | 86.1% | 26,143 | 82.7% | 85.2% | +5,519 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,900 | 5.0% | 5.8% | 2,413 | 7.6% | 7.1% | -513 | -2.6pp |
| Afrikaans | 445 | 1.2% | 0.7% | 427 | 1.4% | 0.8% | +18 | -0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 354 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 123 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +231 | +0.5pp |
| Shona | 217 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 127 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +90 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 210 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 128 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +82 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 173 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 144 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +29 | 0.0pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 169 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 118 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +51 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 158 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 73 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +85 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 155 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 142 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 37,676 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 31,625 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,051 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.