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 West Coast (M), accounting for 86.1% (3,662 people). This share was lower than Regional Tas. (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 58 people and 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Coast (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West Coast (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Coast (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
English
2021 count
3,662
% of total
86.1%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
3,662
86.1%
-4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
433
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
433
10.2%
+2.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
23
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
23
0.5%
-
German
2021 count
20
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
20
0.5%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.3%
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
13
0.3%
-
Malay
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-58
-4.1pp
Not stated
+113
+2.4pp
German
+8
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+3
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for West Coast (M). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,662 | 86.1% | 88.9% | 3,720 | 90.2% | 89.8% | -58 | -4.1pp |
| Not stated | 433 | 10.2% | 5.6% | 320 | 7.8% | 6.7% | +113 | +2.4pp |
| Nepali | 23 | 0.5% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| German | 20 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 13 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 13 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Malay | 11 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 4,252 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,123 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +129 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.