Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Merriwa (WA), accounting for 80.8% (4,501 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Filipino, which increased by 20 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Merriwa (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Merriwa (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 Merriwa (WA), with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
English
Not stated
Afrikaans
Filipino
Tagalog
Khmer
Italian
Thai
Malay
Maori (New Zealand)
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-11
-1.9pp
Not stated
+37
+0.6pp
Afrikaans
+8
+0.1pp
Filipino
+20
+0.3pp
Tagalog
+19
+0.3pp
Khmer
-3
0.0pp
Italian
-4
-0.1pp
Thai
+1
0.0pp
Malay
+9
+0.2pp
Maori (New Zealand)
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Merriwa (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 | 4,501 | 80.8% | 74.8% | 4,512 | 82.7% | 74.0% | -11 | -1.9pp |
| Not stated | 394 | 7.1% | 4.6% | 357 | 6.5% | 5.7% | +37 | +0.6pp |
| Afrikaans | 67 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 59 | 1.1% | 1.6% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 30 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +20 | +0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 29 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.6% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Khmer | 26 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 29 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 22 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 26 | 0.5% | 0.8% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 21 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Malay | 20 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 20 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 23 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,568 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,459 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +109 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.