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 Balonne (S), accounting for 86.7% (3,728 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 173 people and 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Balonne (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Balonne (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 Balonne (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
3,728
% of total
86.7%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
3,728
86.7%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
437
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
437
10.2%
+2.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
16
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
16
0.4%
+0.2pp
Gamilaraay
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
13
0.3%
-
Afrikaans
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
12
0.3%
-0.5pp
Tongan
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-173
-2.4pp
Not stated
+90
+2.3pp
Tagalog
+6
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
-23
-0.5pp
Tongan
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Balonne (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 | |
| English | 3,728 | 86.7% | 83.7% | 3,901 | 89.1% | 84.3% | -173 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 437 | 10.2% | 7.4% | 347 | 7.9% | 7.8% | +90 | +2.3pp |
| Tagalog | 16 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Gamilaraay | 13 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Afrikaans | 12 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 35 | 0.8% | 0.3% | -23 | -0.5pp |
| Tongan | 12 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 15 | 0.3% | 0.0% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,302 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,376 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -74 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.