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, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Burdekin (S), accounting for 84.9% (14,142 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 604 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Burdekin (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Burdekin (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 Burdekin (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
Not stated
Italian
Afrikaans
Greek
Vietnamese
Pidgin, nfd
Tagalog
Solomon Islands Pijin
Mandarin
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-604
-1.5pp
Not stated
+228
+1.5pp
Italian
-160
-0.9pp
Afrikaans
+26
+0.2pp
Greek
-11
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+17
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+16
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+1
0.0pp
German
+6
0.0pp
Spanish
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Burdekin (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 | 14,142 | 84.9% | 83.7% | 14,746 | 86.4% | 84.3% | -604 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,484 | 8.9% | 7.4% | 1,256 | 7.4% | 7.8% | +228 | +1.5pp |
| Italian | 335 | 2.0% | 0.3% | 495 | 2.9% | 0.4% | -160 | -0.9pp |
| Afrikaans | 50 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +26 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 46 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 57 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -11 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 46 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 29 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Pidgin, nfd | 43 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 40 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Solomon Islands Pijin | 35 | 0.2% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 27 | 0.2% | 0.7% | 26 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 16,657 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,064 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -407 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.