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 Stirling (C), accounting for 67.6% (153,013 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 13,637 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Stirling (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Stirling (C) 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 Stirling (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
153,013
% of total
67.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
153,013
67.6%
+1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
11,303
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
11,303
5.0%
-1.4pp
Italian
2021 count
5,798
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
5,798
2.6%
-0.5pp
Mandarin
2021 count
4,941
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
4,941
2.2%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
4,770
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,770
2.1%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
2,597
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,597
1.1%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
2,588
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,588
1.1%
0.0pp
Macedonian
2021 count
2,525
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,525
1.1%
-0.1pp
Gujarati
2021 count
2,224
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,224
1.0%
0.0pp
Other Southern Asian Languages
2021 count
2,174
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
2,174
1.0%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+13,637
+1.3pp
Not stated
-2,150
-1.4pp
Italian
-650
-0.5pp
Mandarin
+657
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
+343
0.0pp
Cantonese
+72
-0.1pp
Arabic
+202
0.0pp
Macedonian
-59
-0.1pp
Gujarati
+183
0.0pp
Other Southern Asian Languages
+1,509
+0.7pp
Data table
Language used at home for Stirling (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 | 153,013 | 67.6% | 74.0% | 139,376 | 66.3% | 73.5% | +13,637 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 11,303 | 5.0% | 5.1% | 13,453 | 6.4% | 6.4% | -2,150 | -1.4pp |
| Italian | 5,798 | 2.6% | 1.1% | 6,448 | 3.1% | 1.4% | -650 | -0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 4,941 | 2.2% | 2.3% | 4,284 | 2.0% | 2.3% | +657 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 4,770 | 2.1% | 1.0% | 4,427 | 2.1% | 1.0% | +343 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 2,597 | 1.1% | 0.9% | 2,525 | 1.2% | 1.0% | +72 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 2,588 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 2,386 | 1.1% | 0.7% | +202 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian | 2,525 | 1.1% | 0.3% | 2,584 | 1.2% | 0.3% | -59 | -0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 2,224 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 2,041 | 1.0% | 0.4% | +183 | 0.0pp |
| Other Southern Asian Languages | 2,174 | 1.0% | 0.2% | 665 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +1,509 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 226,288 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 210,188 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +16,100 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.