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 (WA), accounting for 83.6% (12,771 people). This share was lower than Rockingham (C) (86.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,011 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Rockingham (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Rockingham (WA) 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 Rockingham (WA), with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
English
2021 count
12,771
% of total
83.6%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
12,771
83.6%
+1.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,081
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,081
7.1%
-1.2pp
Serbian
2021 count
131
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
131
0.9%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
91
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
91
0.6%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
74
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
74
0.5%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
70
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
70
0.5%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
66
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
66
0.4%
-0.3pp
German
2021 count
54
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
54
0.4%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
53
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
53
0.3%
0.0pp
Croatian
2021 count
47
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
47
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,011
+1.9pp
Not stated
-116
-1.2pp
Serbian
+20
+0.1pp
Tagalog
-35
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+12
+0.1pp
Spanish
+13
+0.1pp
Italian
-39
-0.3pp
German
0
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+5
0.0pp
Croatian
-10
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Rockingham (WA). 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 | 12,771 | 83.6% | 86.1% | 11,760 | 81.7% | 85.2% | +1,011 | +1.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,081 | 7.1% | 5.8% | 1,197 | 8.3% | 7.1% | -116 | -1.2pp |
| Serbian | 131 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 111 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 91 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 126 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -35 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 74 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 62 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 70 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 57 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 66 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 105 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -39 | -0.3pp |
| German | 54 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 54 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 53 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 48 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Croatian | 47 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 57 | 0.4% | 0.1% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 15,269 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,398 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +871 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.