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 Wyndham-East Kimberley (S), accounting for 70.7% (5,252 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (80.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 160 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Wyndham-East Kimberley (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Wyndham-East Kimberley (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wyndham-East Kimberley (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
English
2021 count
5,252
% of total
70.7%
Change from 2016
-5.3pp
5,252
70.7%
-5.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,306
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
1,306
17.6%
+5.1pp
Miriwoong
2021 count
143
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
143
1.9%
+0.1pp
Kriol
2021 count
61
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
61
0.8%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
57
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
57
0.8%
+0.3pp
Kija
2021 count
49
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
49
0.7%
+0.3pp
German
2021 count
38
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
38
0.5%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
34
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
34
0.5%
-0.1pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
32
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
32
0.4%
-1.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
22
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-160
-5.3pp
Not stated
+418
+5.1pp
Miriwoong
+12
+0.1pp
Kriol
+13
+0.1pp
French
+23
+0.3pp
Kija
+24
+0.3pp
German
-17
-0.3pp
Mandarin
-11
-0.1pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-67
-1.0pp
Filipino
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Wyndham-East Kimberley (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,252 | 70.7% | 80.9% | 5,412 | 76.0% | 81.7% | -160 | -5.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,306 | 17.6% | 10.5% | 888 | 12.5% | 10.0% | +418 | +5.1pp |
| Miriwoong | 143 | 1.9% | 0.0% | 131 | 1.8% | 0.0% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Kriol | 61 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 48 | 0.7% | 0.4% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| French | 57 | 0.8% | 0.2% | 34 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +23 | +0.3pp |
| Kija | 49 | 0.7% | 0.0% | 25 | 0.4% | 0.0% | +24 | +0.3pp |
| German | 38 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 55 | 0.8% | 0.3% | -17 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 34 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 45 | 0.6% | 0.4% | -11 | -0.1pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 32 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 99 | 1.4% | 0.3% | -67 | -1.0pp |
| Filipino | 22 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 7,432 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,119 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +313 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.