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 Waikiki, accounting for 85.3% (10,609 people). This share was lower than Rockingham (C) (86.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 10,603 people, while its share fell by 14.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Waikiki - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Waikiki 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 Waikiki, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).

Waikiki
Rockingham (C)

English

2021 count

10,609

% of total

85.3%

Change from 2016

-14.7pp

Not stated

2021 count

778

% of total

6.3%

Change from 2016

-

Afrikaans

2021 count

93

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-

Tagalog

2021 count

84

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-

Filipino

2021 count

75

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-

Vietnamese

2021 count

73

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-

Thai

2021 count

51

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-

German

2021 count

45

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-

Serbian

2021 count

43

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-

Spanish

2021 count

36

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for Waikiki. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).

Language used at home for Waikiki. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
Language used at home for Waikiki. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Rockingham (C)%Count%Rockingham (C)%Countpp
English10,60985.3%86.1%6100.0%85.2%+10,603-14.7pp
Not stated7786.3%5.8%--7.1%--
Afrikaans930.7%0.7%--0.8%--
Tagalog840.7%0.5%--0.4%--
Filipino750.6%0.3%--0.3%--
Vietnamese730.6%0.2%--0.2%--
Thai510.4%0.3%--0.3%--
German450.4%0.3%--0.3%--
Serbian430.3%0.3%--0.3%--
Spanish360.3%0.3%--0.3%--
Total12,438100.0%100.0%6100.0%100.0%+12,4320.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.