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 Subiaco (C), accounting for 77.7% (13,411 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (74%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which decreased by 565 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Subiaco (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Subiaco (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 Subiaco (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
English
2021 count
13,411
% of total
77.7%
Change from 2016
+7.0pp
13,411
77.7%
+7.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
838
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
838
4.9%
-2.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
507
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
507
2.9%
-2.6pp
Japanese
2021 count
223
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
223
1.3%
+0.4pp
French
2021 count
193
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
193
1.1%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
152
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
152
0.9%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
151
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
151
0.9%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
126
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
126
0.7%
-0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
2021 count
102
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
102
0.6%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
90
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
90
0.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-280
+7.0pp
Not stated
-494
-2.0pp
Mandarin
-565
-2.6pp
Japanese
+48
+0.4pp
French
-62
-0.2pp
Spanish
-2
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-74
-0.3pp
Italian
-28
-0.1pp
Persian (excluding Dari)
+20
+0.2pp
German
-41
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Subiaco (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 | 13,411 | 77.7% | 74.0% | 13,691 | 70.7% | 73.5% | -280 | +7.0pp |
| Not stated | 838 | 4.9% | 5.1% | 1,332 | 6.9% | 6.4% | -494 | -2.0pp |
| Mandarin | 507 | 2.9% | 2.3% | 1,072 | 5.5% | 2.3% | -565 | -2.6pp |
| Japanese | 223 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 175 | 0.9% | 0.3% | +48 | +0.4pp |
| French | 193 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 255 | 1.3% | 0.4% | -62 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 152 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 154 | 0.8% | 0.5% | -2 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 151 | 0.9% | 0.9% | 225 | 1.2% | 1.0% | -74 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 126 | 0.7% | 1.1% | 154 | 0.8% | 1.4% | -28 | -0.1pp |
| Persian (excluding Dari) | 102 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 82 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| German | 90 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 131 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -41 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 17,264 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,355 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2,091 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.