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 Rockingham (C), accounting for 86.1% (116,738 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 10,193 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Rockingham (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Rockingham (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rockingham (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
116,738
% of total
86.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
116,738
86.1%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,890
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
7,890
5.8%
-1.3pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
993
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
993
0.7%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
624
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
624
0.5%
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
472
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
472
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
460
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
460
0.3%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
456
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
456
0.3%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
439
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
439
0.3%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
436
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
436
0.3%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
391
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
391
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+10,193
+0.9pp
Not stated
-1,002
-1.3pp
Afrikaans
+51
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+80
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
+116
0.0pp
Mandarin
+89
0.0pp
Spanish
+32
0.0pp
Punjabi
+243
+0.1pp
Thai
+85
0.0pp
German
+25
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Rockingham (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 | 116,738 | 86.1% | 74.0% | 106,545 | 85.2% | 73.5% | +10,193 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 7,890 | 5.8% | 5.1% | 8,892 | 7.1% | 6.4% | -1,002 | -1.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 993 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 942 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +51 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 624 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 544 | 0.4% | 0.6% | +80 | +0.1pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 472 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 356 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +116 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 460 | 0.3% | 2.3% | 371 | 0.3% | 2.3% | +89 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 456 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 424 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +32 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 439 | 0.3% | 0.9% | 196 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +243 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 436 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 351 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +85 | 0.0pp |
| German | 391 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 366 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 135,631 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 125,046 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,585 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.