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 Karnup, accounting for 89.3% (1,862 people). This share was higher than Rockingham (C) (86.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 709 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Karnup - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Karnup 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 Karnup, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
English
2021 count
1,862
% of total
89.3%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
1,862
89.3%
+5.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
108
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
108
5.2%
-3.8pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
14
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.7%
-
Afrikaans
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
12
0.6%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
10
0.5%
-0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.5%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+709
+5.4pp
Not stated
-16
-3.8pp
Afrikaans
+8
+0.3pp
Spanish
+1
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Karnup. 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 | 1,862 | 89.3% | 86.1% | 1,153 | 83.9% | 85.2% | +709 | +5.4pp |
| Not stated | 108 | 5.2% | 5.8% | 124 | 9.0% | 7.1% | -16 | -3.8pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 14 | 0.7% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Afrikaans | 12 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 4 | 0.3% | 0.8% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 10 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.7% | 0.3% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 10 | 0.5% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Total | 2,086 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,374 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +712 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.