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 Bungalow, accounting for 65.6% (1,527 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 120 people and 0.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Bungalow - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Bungalow in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Bungalow, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).

Bungalow
Cairns (R)

English

2021 count

1,527

% of total

65.6%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

367

% of total

15.8%

Change from 2016

+2.4pp

Japanese

2021 count

56

% of total

2.4%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Punjabi

2021 count

40

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Mandarin

2021 count

32

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Korean

2021 count

30

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Creole, nfd

2021 count

27

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Tagalog

2021 count

26

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Cantonese

2021 count

22

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Thai

2021 count

19

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Language used at home for Bungalow. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).

Language used at home for Bungalow. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Language used at home for Bungalow. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cairns (R)%Count%Cairns (R)%Countpp
English1,52765.6%76.8%1,40765.0%77.7%+120+0.6pp
Not stated36715.8%9.2%28913.4%9.1%+78+2.4pp
Japanese562.4%1.4%632.9%1.5%-7-0.5pp
Punjabi401.7%0.6%411.9%0.5%-1-0.2pp
Mandarin321.4%0.7%381.8%0.7%-6-0.4pp
Korean301.3%0.5%502.3%0.6%-20-1.0pp
Creole, nfd271.2%0.6%301.4%0.6%-3-0.2pp
Tagalog261.1%0.5%180.8%0.5%+8+0.3pp
Cantonese220.9%0.3%120.6%0.3%+10+0.3pp
Thai190.8%0.3%100.5%0.3%+9+0.3pp
Total2,326100.0%100.0%2,163100.0%100.0%+1630.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.