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 Earlville, accounting for 76.2% (3,186 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 57 people, while its share fell by 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Earlville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Earlville 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 Earlville, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
3,186
% of total
76.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
3,186
76.2%
-1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
403
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
403
9.6%
+0.3pp
Japanese
2021 count
65
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
65
1.6%
+0.4pp
Korean
2021 count
46
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
46
1.1%
-0.2pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
38
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
38
0.9%
-0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
35
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
35
0.8%
+0.6pp
Portuguese
2021 count
26
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
26
0.6%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
26
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.6%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
23
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
23
0.5%
-0.3pp
French
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+57
-1.3pp
Not stated
+29
+0.3pp
Japanese
+15
+0.4pp
Korean
-5
-0.2pp
Creole, nfd
-1
-0.1pp
Nepali
+26
+0.6pp
Portuguese
+12
+0.3pp
Italian
+4
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-8
-0.3pp
French
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Earlville. 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 | 3,186 | 76.2% | 76.8% | 3,129 | 77.5% | 77.7% | +57 | -1.3pp |
| Not stated | 403 | 9.6% | 9.2% | 374 | 9.3% | 9.1% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| Japanese | 65 | 1.6% | 1.4% | 50 | 1.2% | 1.5% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Korean | 46 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 51 | 1.3% | 0.6% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Creole, nfd | 38 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 39 | 1.0% | 0.6% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Nepali | 35 | 0.8% | 0.7% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +26 | +0.6pp |
| Portuguese | 26 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 26 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 22 | 0.5% | 0.7% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.5% | 0.7% | 31 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| French | 21 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 15 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,182 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,038 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +144 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.