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 Darch, accounting for 57.7% (4,237 people). This share was lower than Wanneroo (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Gujarati, which increased by 141 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Darch - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Darch 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 Darch, with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
English
2021 count
4,237
% of total
57.7%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
4,237
57.7%
-2.8pp
Gujarati
2021 count
516
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
516
7.0%
+1.7pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
474
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
474
6.5%
+0.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
242
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
242
3.3%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
212
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
212
2.9%
-0.6pp
Arabic
2021 count
207
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
207
2.8%
+1.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
146
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
146
2.0%
+0.6pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
135
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
135
1.8%
-0.7pp
Romanian
2021 count
121
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
121
1.6%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
66
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
66
0.9%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-48
-2.8pp
Gujarati
+141
+1.7pp
Vietnamese
+21
+0.1pp
Macedonian
+6
0.0pp
Not stated
-37
-0.6pp
Arabic
+97
+1.2pp
Mandarin
+46
+0.6pp
Afrikaans
-42
-0.7pp
Romanian
-15
-0.3pp
Italian
-15
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Darch. 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 | 4,237 | 57.7% | 74.8% | 4,285 | 60.5% | 74.0% | -48 | -2.8pp |
| Gujarati | 516 | 7.0% | 1.3% | 375 | 5.3% | 0.9% | +141 | +1.7pp |
| Vietnamese | 474 | 6.5% | 2.6% | 453 | 6.4% | 2.7% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 242 | 3.3% | 0.8% | 236 | 3.3% | 0.8% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 212 | 2.9% | 4.6% | 249 | 3.5% | 5.7% | -37 | -0.6pp |
| Arabic | 207 | 2.8% | 1.0% | 110 | 1.6% | 1.0% | +97 | +1.2pp |
| Mandarin | 146 | 2.0% | 0.8% | 100 | 1.4% | 0.9% | +46 | +0.6pp |
| Afrikaans | 135 | 1.8% | 1.5% | 177 | 2.5% | 1.6% | -42 | -0.7pp |
| Romanian | 121 | 1.6% | 0.3% | 136 | 1.9% | 0.3% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 66 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 81 | 1.1% | 0.8% | -15 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 7,337 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,083 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +254 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.