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 North Perth, accounting for 77.7% (7,451 people). This share was higher than Vincent (C) (75%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,138 people and 5.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
North Perth - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for North Perth in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Vincent (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for North Perth, with comparison markers for Vincent (C).
English
2021 count
7,451
% of total
77.7%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
7,451
77.7%
+5.4pp
Italian
2021 count
422
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
422
4.4%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
377
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
377
3.9%
-2.5pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
178
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
178
1.9%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
124
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
124
1.3%
+0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
115
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
115
1.2%
-0.3pp
Greek
2021 count
97
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
97
1.0%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
91
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
91
0.9%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
80
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
80
0.8%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
59
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
59
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,138
+5.4pp
Italian
-66
-1.2pp
Not stated
-186
-2.5pp
Vietnamese
-18
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+21
+0.1pp
Macedonian
-15
-0.3pp
Greek
-1
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+3
-0.1pp
Spanish
+11
0.0pp
French
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for North Perth. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Vincent (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Vincent (C)% | Count | % | Vincent (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 7,451 | 77.7% | 75.0% | 6,313 | 72.3% | 70.0% | +1,138 | +5.4pp |
| Italian | 422 | 4.4% | 3.0% | 488 | 5.6% | 4.2% | -66 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 377 | 3.9% | 5.3% | 563 | 6.4% | 8.3% | -186 | -2.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 178 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 196 | 2.2% | 1.7% | -18 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 124 | 1.3% | 2.2% | 103 | 1.2% | 2.1% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 115 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 130 | 1.5% | 0.8% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Greek | 97 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 98 | 1.1% | 0.9% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 91 | 0.9% | 1.1% | 88 | 1.0% | 1.1% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 80 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 69 | 0.8% | 1.0% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| French | 59 | 0.6% | 0.7% | 53 | 0.6% | 0.8% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 9,595 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,735 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +860 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.