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 Mindarie (WA), accounting for 85.5% (6,715 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 431 people and 1.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Mindarie (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Mindarie (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 Mindarie (WA), with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).

Mindarie (WA)
Wanneroo (C)

English

2021 count

6,715

% of total

85.5%

Change from 2016

+1.9pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

313

% of total

4.0%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

279

% of total

3.6%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Mandarin

2021 count

43

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

German

2021 count

41

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Arabic

2021 count

31

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Spanish

2021 count

30

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Italian

2021 count

28

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Polish

2021 count

27

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Thai

2021 count

23

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Language used at home for Mindarie (WA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).

Language used at home for Mindarie (WA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
Language used at home for Mindarie (WA). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Wanneroo (C)%Count%Wanneroo (C)%Countpp
English6,71585.5%74.8%6,28483.6%74.0%+431+1.9pp
Afrikaans3134.0%1.5%3344.4%1.6%-21-0.4pp
Not stated2793.6%4.6%3254.3%5.7%-46-0.7pp
Mandarin430.5%0.8%490.7%0.9%-6-0.2pp
German410.5%0.3%390.5%0.3%+20.0pp
Arabic310.4%1.0%290.4%1.0%+20.0pp
Spanish300.4%0.5%300.4%0.5%00.0pp
Italian280.4%0.7%500.7%0.8%-22-0.3pp
Polish270.3%0.3%250.3%0.3%+20.0pp
Thai230.3%0.3%320.4%0.2%-9-0.1pp
Total7,857100.0%100.0%7,517100.0%100.0%+3400.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.