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 Gordonvale, accounting for 85.5% (5,924 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 95 people, while its share fell by 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Gordonvale - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Gordonvale 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 Gordonvale, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
5,924
% of total
85.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
5,924
85.5%
-1.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
563
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
563
8.1%
+0.8pp
Punjabi
2021 count
62
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
62
0.9%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
46
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
46
0.7%
-0.1pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
28
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
28
0.4%
+0.1pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
17
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
17
0.2%
-
Japanese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
16
0.2%
-0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+95
-1.8pp
Not stated
+76
+0.8pp
Punjabi
+15
+0.2pp
Italian
-5
-0.1pp
Creole, nfd
+7
+0.1pp
Japanese
-3
-0.1pp
Dutch
+3
+0.1pp
French
+9
+0.1pp
Filipino
0
0.0pp
Spanish
+3
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Gordonvale. 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 | 5,924 | 85.5% | 76.8% | 5,829 | 87.3% | 77.7% | +95 | -1.8pp |
| Not stated | 563 | 8.1% | 9.2% | 487 | 7.3% | 9.1% | +76 | +0.8pp |
| Punjabi | 62 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 47 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 46 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 51 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Creole, nfd | 28 | 0.4% | 0.6% | 21 | 0.3% | 0.6% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 17 | 0.2% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Japanese | 16 | 0.2% | 1.4% | 19 | 0.3% | 1.5% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Dutch | 13 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| French | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,932 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,674 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +258 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.