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 South Perth (C), accounting for 74.5% (32,305 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,406 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Perth (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South Perth (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Perth (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
32,305
% of total
74.5%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
32,305
74.5%
+3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,201
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,201
5.1%
-1.6pp
Mandarin
2021 count
1,618
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,618
3.7%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
639
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
639
1.5%
-0.1pp
Indonesian
2021 count
483
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
483
1.1%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
394
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
394
0.9%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
363
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
363
0.8%
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
336
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
336
0.8%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
304
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
304
0.7%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
270
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
270
0.6%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,406
+3.2pp
Not stated
-613
-1.6pp
Mandarin
+20
-0.1pp
Cantonese
-36
-0.1pp
Indonesian
-36
-0.1pp
Italian
-75
-0.2pp
Spanish
+31
0.0pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
-94
-0.2pp
Arabic
-45
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+9
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for South Perth (C). 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 | 32,305 | 74.5% | 74.0% | 29,899 | 71.3% | 73.5% | +2,406 | +3.2pp |
| Not stated | 2,201 | 5.1% | 5.1% | 2,814 | 6.7% | 6.4% | -613 | -1.6pp |
| Mandarin | 1,618 | 3.7% | 2.3% | 1,598 | 3.8% | 2.3% | +20 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 639 | 1.5% | 0.9% | 675 | 1.6% | 1.0% | -36 | -0.1pp |
| Indonesian | 483 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 519 | 1.2% | 0.5% | -36 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 394 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 469 | 1.1% | 1.4% | -75 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 363 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 332 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +31 | 0.0pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 336 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 430 | 1.0% | 0.3% | -94 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 304 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 349 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -45 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 270 | 0.6% | 1.0% | 261 | 0.6% | 1.0% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 43,337 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 41,917 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,420 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.