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 Shark Bay (S), accounting for 74.8% (763 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 28 people and 9.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Shark Bay (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Shark Bay (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shark Bay (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
763
% of total
74.8%
Change from 2016
-9.9pp
763
74.8%
-9.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
174
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
174
17.1%
+7.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
27
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-
27
2.6%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
11
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
11
1.1%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-28
-9.9pp
Not stated
+82
+7.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Shark Bay (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 763 | 74.8% | 80.9% | 791 | 84.7% | 81.7% | -28 | -9.9pp |
| Not stated | 174 | 17.1% | 10.5% | 92 | 9.9% | 10.0% | +82 | +7.2pp |
| Spanish | 27 | 2.6% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 11 | 1.1% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 1,020 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 934 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +86 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.