Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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, Wik Mungkan was the most common language used at home among residents in Aurukun (S), accounting for 70.9% (776 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (0%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Cape York Peninsula Languages, nec, which decreased by 770 people and 61.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Aurukun (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Aurukun (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Aurukun (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Wik Mungkan
Cape York Peninsula Languages, nfd
English
Not stated
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Wik Mungkan
+589
+56.0pp
English
-27
-1.0pp
Not stated
+48
+4.7pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+8
+0.8pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Aurukun (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Wik Mungkan | 776 | 70.9% | 0.0% | 187 | 14.9% | 0.0% | +589 | +56.0pp |
| Cape York Peninsula Languages, nfd | 117 | 10.7% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| English | 102 | 9.3% | 83.7% | 129 | 10.3% | 84.3% | -27 | -1.0pp |
| Not stated | 76 | 6.9% | 7.4% | 28 | 2.2% | 7.8% | +48 | +4.7pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 11 | 1.0% | 0.3% | 3 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 1,095 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,258 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -163 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.