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 Serpentine-Jarrahdale (S), accounting for 83.6% (26,899 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,449 people, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Serpentine-Jarrahdale (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Serpentine-Jarrahdale (S) 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 Serpentine-Jarrahdale (S), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
26,899
% of total
83.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
26,899
83.6%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,789
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
1,789
5.6%
-1.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
564
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
564
1.8%
+0.6pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
255
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
255
0.8%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
160
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
160
0.5%
+0.2pp
Shona
2021 count
148
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
148
0.5%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
135
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
135
0.4%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
127
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
127
0.4%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
96
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
96
0.3%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
94
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
94
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,449
-0.1pp
Not stated
-129
-1.6pp
Punjabi
+249
+0.6pp
Afrikaans
+68
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+84
+0.2pp
Shona
+24
0.0pp
Malayalam
+58
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+16
0.0pp
Filipino
+48
+0.1pp
Italian
-26
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Serpentine-Jarrahdale (S). 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 | 26,899 | 83.6% | 74.0% | 22,450 | 83.7% | 73.5% | +4,449 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,789 | 5.6% | 5.1% | 1,918 | 7.2% | 6.4% | -129 | -1.6pp |
| Punjabi | 564 | 1.8% | 0.9% | 315 | 1.2% | 0.6% | +249 | +0.6pp |
| Afrikaans | 255 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 187 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +68 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 160 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 76 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +84 | +0.2pp |
| Shona | 148 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 124 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +24 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 135 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 77 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +58 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 127 | 0.4% | 2.3% | 111 | 0.4% | 2.3% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 96 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 48 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +48 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 94 | 0.3% | 1.1% | 120 | 0.4% | 1.4% | -26 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 32,171 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 26,812 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,359 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.