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 Secret Harbour, accounting for 90.8% (11,318 people). This share was higher than Rockingham (C) (86.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 462 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Secret Harbour - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Secret Harbour 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 Secret Harbour, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
English
2021 count
11,318
% of total
90.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
11,318
90.8%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
463
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
463
3.7%
-1.4pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
134
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
134
1.1%
+0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
40
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
40
0.3%
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
37
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
37
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
35
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
35
0.3%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
30
0.2%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
27
0.2%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
23
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+462
+0.8pp
Not stated
-154
-1.4pp
Afrikaans
+10
+0.1pp
Portuguese
+13
+0.1pp
Maori (New Zealand)
+21
+0.2pp
German
+8
+0.1pp
Thai
-4
-0.1pp
Mandarin
+11
0.0pp
Italian
-5
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Secret Harbour. 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 | 11,318 | 90.8% | 86.1% | 10,856 | 90.0% | 85.2% | +462 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 463 | 3.7% | 5.8% | 617 | 5.1% | 7.1% | -154 | -1.4pp |
| Afrikaans | 134 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 124 | 1.0% | 0.8% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 40 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 37 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 16 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +21 | +0.2pp |
| German | 35 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 30 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 34 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 30 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 19 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 27 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 32 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 23 | 0.2% | 0.5% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 12,462 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,066 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +396 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.