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 McKail, accounting for 87.3% (3,440 people). This share was lower than Albany (C) (87.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 390 people, while its share fell by 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
McKail - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for McKail in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Albany (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for McKail, with comparison markers for Albany (C).
English
2021 count
3,440
% of total
87.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
3,440
87.3%
-1.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
154
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
154
3.9%
-0.6pp
Karen
2021 count
62
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
62
1.6%
+1.4pp
Tagalog
2021 count
62
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
62
1.6%
+0.6pp
Filipino
2021 count
50
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
50
1.3%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
40
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
40
1.0%
+0.1pp
Bisaya
2021 count
19
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
19
0.5%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
16
0.4%
-0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.4%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+390
-1.8pp
Not stated
-1
-0.6pp
Karen
+55
+1.4pp
Tagalog
+28
+0.6pp
Filipino
+3
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
+8
+0.1pp
Bisaya
+13
+0.3pp
Italian
0
-0.1pp
Dutch
+4
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for McKail. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Albany (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Albany (C)% | Count | % | Albany (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,440 | 87.3% | 87.8% | 3,050 | 89.1% | 87.1% | +390 | -1.8pp |
| Not stated | 154 | 3.9% | 6.0% | 155 | 4.5% | 7.1% | -1 | -0.6pp |
| Karen | 62 | 1.6% | 0.5% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +55 | +1.4pp |
| Tagalog | 62 | 1.6% | 0.6% | 34 | 1.0% | 0.6% | +28 | +0.6pp |
| Filipino | 50 | 1.3% | 0.6% | 47 | 1.4% | 0.6% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 40 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 32 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Bisaya | 19 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 16 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 16 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Dutch | 15 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 11 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 12 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 3,940 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,425 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +515 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.