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 Butler (WA), accounting for 80.5% (10,865 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 501 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Butler (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Butler (WA) 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 Butler (WA), with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
English
2021 count
10,865
% of total
80.5%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
10,865
80.5%
+2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
651
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
651
4.8%
-4.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
295
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
295
2.2%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
128
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
128
0.9%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
103
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
103
0.8%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
75
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
75
0.6%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
73
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
73
0.5%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
73
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
73
0.5%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
69
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
69
0.5%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
61
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
61
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+501
+2.3pp
Not stated
-542
-4.2pp
Afrikaans
+15
+0.1pp
Arabic
+9
0.0pp
Tagalog
+30
+0.2pp
Spanish
+5
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+33
+0.2pp
Filipino
+4
0.0pp
Mandarin
+5
0.0pp
French
+26
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Butler (WA). 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 | 10,865 | 80.5% | 74.8% | 10,364 | 78.2% | 74.0% | +501 | +2.3pp |
| Not stated | 651 | 4.8% | 4.6% | 1,193 | 9.0% | 5.7% | -542 | -4.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 295 | 2.2% | 1.5% | 280 | 2.1% | 1.6% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 128 | 0.9% | 1.0% | 119 | 0.9% | 1.0% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 103 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 73 | 0.6% | 0.6% | +30 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 75 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 70 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 73 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 40 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +33 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 73 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 69 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 69 | 0.5% | 0.8% | 64 | 0.5% | 0.9% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| French | 61 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 35 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +26 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 13,489 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +231 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.