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 Holloways Beach, accounting for 81% (1,948 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 31 people, while its share fell by 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Holloways Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Holloways Beach 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 Holloways Beach, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
1,948
% of total
81.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,948
81.0%
-1.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
244
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
244
10.1%
-0.3pp
Japanese
2021 count
29
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
29
1.2%
+0.3pp
German
2021 count
19
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19
0.8%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
17
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
17
0.7%
+0.4pp
French
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.6%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.6%
+0.2pp
Dutch
2021 count
12
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
12
0.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+31
-1.4pp
Not stated
+1
-0.3pp
Japanese
+7
+0.3pp
German
+2
+0.1pp
Italian
+9
+0.4pp
French
+1
0.0pp
Spanish
+5
+0.2pp
Dutch
-4
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Holloways Beach. 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 | 1,948 | 81.0% | 76.8% | 1,917 | 82.4% | 77.7% | +31 | -1.4pp |
| Not stated | 244 | 10.1% | 9.2% | 243 | 10.4% | 9.1% | +1 | -0.3pp |
| Japanese | 29 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 22 | 0.9% | 1.5% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| German | 19 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 17 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 17 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 8 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +9 | +0.4pp |
| French | 14 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 13 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 14 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 9 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Dutch | 12 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 16 | 0.7% | 0.2% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 2,404 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,326 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +78 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.