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 Kamerunga, accounting for 85.4% (805 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 37 people, while its share rose by 3.3 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Kamerunga - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Kamerunga 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 Kamerunga, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).

Kamerunga
Cairns (R)

English

2021 count

805

% of total

85.4%

Change from 2016

+3.3pp

Not stated

2021 count

61

% of total

6.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)

2021 count

14

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for Kamerunga. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).

Language used at home for Kamerunga. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Language used at home for Kamerunga. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cairns (R)%Count%Cairns (R)%Countpp
English80585.4%76.8%84282.1%77.7%-37+3.3pp
Not stated616.5%9.2%666.4%9.1%-5+0.1pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)141.5%0.5%--0.4%--
Total943100.0%100.0%1,025100.0%100.0%-820.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.