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 Tapping, accounting for 82.8% (7,919 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 234 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tapping - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Tapping 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 Tapping, with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
English
2021 count
7,919
% of total
82.8%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
7,919
82.8%
+1.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
312
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
312
3.3%
-0.1pp
Gujarati
2021 count
183
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
183
1.9%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
162
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
162
1.7%
-0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
106
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
106
1.1%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
104
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
104
1.1%
-0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
70
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
70
0.7%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
70
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
70
0.7%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
58
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
58
0.6%
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
53
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
53
0.6%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+234
+1.7pp
Not stated
-11
-0.1pp
Gujarati
+18
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
-35
-0.4pp
Punjabi
+5
0.0pp
Malayalam
-15
-0.2pp
Arabic
-1
0.0pp
Hindi
+10
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-52
-0.6pp
Vietnamese
+2
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Tapping. 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 | 7,919 | 82.8% | 74.8% | 7,685 | 81.1% | 74.0% | +234 | +1.7pp |
| Not stated | 312 | 3.3% | 4.6% | 323 | 3.4% | 5.7% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 183 | 1.9% | 1.3% | 165 | 1.7% | 0.9% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 162 | 1.7% | 1.5% | 197 | 2.1% | 1.6% | -35 | -0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 106 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 101 | 1.1% | 0.4% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 104 | 1.1% | 0.2% | 119 | 1.3% | 0.2% | -15 | -0.2pp |
| Arabic | 70 | 0.7% | 1.0% | 71 | 0.7% | 1.0% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 70 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 60 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 58 | 0.6% | 0.8% | 110 | 1.2% | 0.9% | -52 | -0.6pp |
| Vietnamese | 53 | 0.6% | 2.6% | 51 | 0.5% | 2.7% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 9,561 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,471 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +90 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.