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 Alkimos, accounting for 80.2% (8,164 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,246 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Alkimos - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Alkimos in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wanneroo (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Alkimos, with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
English
2021 count
8,164
% of total
80.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
8,164
80.2%
+1.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
428
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
428
4.2%
-4.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
264
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
264
2.6%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
88
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
88
0.9%
+0.5pp
Portuguese
2021 count
78
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
78
0.8%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
66
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
66
0.6%
0.0pp
Shona
2021 count
66
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
66
0.6%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
65
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
65
0.6%
+0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
63
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
63
0.6%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
61
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
61
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,246
+1.9pp
Not stated
-93
-4.1pp
Afrikaans
+105
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+65
+0.5pp
Portuguese
+50
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+27
0.0pp
Shona
+31
0.0pp
French
+46
+0.3pp
Filipino
+27
0.0pp
Tagalog
+23
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Alkimos. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wanneroo (C)% | Count | % | Wanneroo (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 8,164 | 80.2% | 74.8% | 4,918 | 78.3% | 74.0% | +3,246 | +1.9pp |
| Not stated | 428 | 4.2% | 4.6% | 521 | 8.3% | 5.7% | -93 | -4.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 264 | 2.6% | 1.5% | 159 | 2.5% | 1.6% | +105 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 88 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 23 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +65 | +0.5pp |
| Portuguese | 78 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 28 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +50 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 66 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 39 | 0.6% | 0.9% | +27 | 0.0pp |
| Shona | 66 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +31 | 0.0pp |
| French | 65 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +46 | +0.3pp |
| Filipino | 63 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 36 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +27 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 61 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 38 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +23 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 10,180 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,280 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,900 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.