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 Wanneroo, accounting for 83% (10,012 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (74.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 9,938 people and 15.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Wanneroo - Total persons (Usual residence)

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

Wanneroo
Wanneroo (C)

English

2021 count

10,012

% of total

83.0%

Change from 2016

+15.7pp

Not stated

2021 count

593

% of total

4.9%

Change from 2016

-24.2pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

141

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-

Afrikaans

2021 count

103

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

-

Gujarati

2021 count

101

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-

Mandarin

2021 count

97

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-

Italian

2021 count

94

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-

German

2021 count

55

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-

French

2021 count

55

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-

Spanish

2021 count

51

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

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

Language used at home for Wanneroo. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
Language used at home for Wanneroo. 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
English10,01283.0%74.8%7467.3%74.0%+9,938+15.7pp
Not stated5934.9%4.6%3229.1%5.7%+561-24.2pp
Vietnamese1411.2%2.6%--2.7%--
Afrikaans1030.9%1.5%--1.6%--
Gujarati1010.8%1.3%--0.9%--
Mandarin970.8%0.8%--0.9%--
Italian940.8%0.7%--0.8%--
German550.5%0.3%--0.3%--
French550.5%0.3%--0.3%--
Spanish510.4%0.5%--0.5%--
Total12,059100.0%100.0%110100.0%100.0%+11,9490.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.