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 Edge Hill, accounting for 81.2% (3,306 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 119 people, while its share fell by 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Edge Hill - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Edge Hill 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 Edge Hill, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
3,306
% of total
81.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,306
81.2%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
278
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
278
6.8%
+0.4pp
Japanese
2021 count
101
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
101
2.5%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
42
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
42
1.0%
+0.4pp
Tagalog
2021 count
27
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.7%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
24
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
24
0.6%
+0.5pp
German
2021 count
19
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
19
0.5%
-0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
19
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19
0.5%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
15
0.4%
-0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
15
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+119
-0.5pp
Not stated
+27
+0.4pp
Japanese
+8
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+20
+0.4pp
Tagalog
+1
0.0pp
Spanish
+21
+0.5pp
German
-13
-0.3pp
Punjabi
+2
+0.1pp
Italian
-11
-0.3pp
Vietnamese
+4
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Edge Hill. 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 | 3,306 | 81.2% | 76.8% | 3,187 | 81.7% | 77.7% | +119 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 278 | 6.8% | 9.2% | 251 | 6.4% | 9.1% | +27 | +0.4pp |
| Japanese | 101 | 2.5% | 1.4% | 93 | 2.4% | 1.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 42 | 1.0% | 0.7% | 22 | 0.6% | 0.7% | +20 | +0.4pp |
| Tagalog | 27 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 26 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 24 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +21 | +0.5pp |
| German | 19 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 32 | 0.8% | 0.6% | -13 | -0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 19 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 15 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 26 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -11 | -0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 15 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 11 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,070 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,900 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +170 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.