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 Clifton Beach (Qld), accounting for 82.3% (2,635 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 20 people, while its share fell by 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Clifton Beach (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Clifton Beach (Qld) 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 Clifton Beach (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
Not stated
German
Italian
Spanish
Afrikaans
Russian
Polish
Japanese
Greek
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+20
-1.4pp
Not stated
+2
-0.1pp
German
-5
-0.2pp
Italian
+2
+0.1pp
Spanish
+17
+0.6pp
Afrikaans
+3
+0.1pp
Russian
+7
+0.2pp
Polish
+4
+0.1pp
Japanese
-1
0.0pp
Greek
+6
+0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Clifton Beach (Qld). 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 | 2,635 | 82.3% | 76.8% | 2,615 | 83.7% | 77.7% | +20 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 228 | 7.1% | 9.2% | 226 | 7.2% | 9.1% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| German | 55 | 1.7% | 0.5% | 60 | 1.9% | 0.6% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 22 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 20 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +17 | +0.6pp |
| Afrikaans | 15 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Russian | 14 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Polish | 13 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 13 | 0.4% | 1.4% | 14 | 0.4% | 1.5% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 12 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,202 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,125 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +77 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.