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 Ridgewood (WA), accounting for 81.5% (3,730 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 84 people and 3.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Ridgewood (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Ridgewood (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 Ridgewood (WA), with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
English
2021 count
3,730
% of total
81.5%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
3,730
81.5%
+3.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
286
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
286
6.2%
-2.5pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
64
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
64
1.4%
-0.8pp
Arabic
2021 count
51
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
51
1.1%
-0.2pp
Dinka
2021 count
43
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
43
0.9%
-0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
21
0.5%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
20
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.4%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
20
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
20
0.4%
-0.2pp
Dari
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.4%
0.0pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+84
+3.8pp
Not stated
-123
-2.5pp
Afrikaans
-41
-0.8pp
Arabic
-9
-0.2pp
Dinka
-7
-0.2pp
Spanish
+6
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+7
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-10
-0.2pp
Dari
-1
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+8
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Ridgewood (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 | 3,730 | 81.5% | 74.8% | 3,646 | 77.7% | 74.0% | +84 | +3.8pp |
| Not stated | 286 | 6.2% | 4.6% | 409 | 8.7% | 5.7% | -123 | -2.5pp |
| Afrikaans | 64 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 105 | 2.2% | 1.6% | -41 | -0.8pp |
| Arabic | 51 | 1.1% | 1.0% | 60 | 1.3% | 1.0% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Dinka | 43 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 50 | 1.1% | 0.3% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 15 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 20 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 13 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 20 | 0.4% | 0.8% | 30 | 0.6% | 0.9% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Dari | 19 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 19 | 0.4% | 2.6% | 11 | 0.2% | 2.7% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,579 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,695 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -116 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.