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 Cairns North, accounting for 59.7% (3,162 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 232 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cairns North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cairns North 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 Cairns North, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
3,162
% of total
59.7%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
3,162
59.7%
+3.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
928
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
928
17.5%
-0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
110
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
110
2.1%
-0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
106
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
106
2.0%
-1.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
95
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
95
1.8%
-1.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
77
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
77
1.5%
+1.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
66
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
66
1.2%
+0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
51
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
51
1.0%
-0.8pp
Tagalog
2021 count
46
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
46
0.9%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
45
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
45
0.8%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+232
+3.1pp
Not stated
-17
-0.8pp
Mandarin
-18
-0.4pp
Punjabi
-58
-1.2pp
Japanese
-51
-1.0pp
Spanish
+59
+1.2pp
Malayalam
+27
+0.4pp
Korean
-43
-0.8pp
Tagalog
+6
+0.1pp
German
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cairns North. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,162 | 59.7% | 76.8% | 2,930 | 56.6% | 77.7% | +232 | +3.1pp |
| Not stated | 928 | 17.5% | 9.2% | 945 | 18.3% | 9.1% | -17 | -0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 110 | 2.1% | 0.7% | 128 | 2.5% | 0.7% | -18 | -0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 106 | 2.0% | 0.6% | 164 | 3.2% | 0.5% | -58 | -1.2pp |
| Japanese | 95 | 1.8% | 1.4% | 146 | 2.8% | 1.5% | -51 | -1.0pp |
| Spanish | 77 | 1.5% | 0.4% | 18 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +59 | +1.2pp |
| Malayalam | 66 | 1.2% | 0.3% | 39 | 0.8% | 0.1% | +27 | +0.4pp |
| Korean | 51 | 1.0% | 0.5% | 94 | 1.8% | 0.6% | -43 | -0.8pp |
| Tagalog | 46 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 40 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| German | 45 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 48 | 0.9% | 0.6% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 5,298 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,173 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +125 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.