Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Kanimbla (Qld), accounting for 72.6% (2,040 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which increased by 96 people and 3.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kanimbla (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Kanimbla (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kanimbla (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
Nepali
Not stated
Japanese
Mandarin
Korean
Cantonese
Malayalam
Punjabi
Italian
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+57
-1.8pp
Nepali
+96
+3.4pp
Not stated
-95
-3.8pp
Japanese
+15
+0.4pp
Mandarin
-5
-0.2pp
Korean
-11
-0.5pp
Cantonese
+12
+0.4pp
Malayalam
+26
+0.9pp
Punjabi
+2
0.0pp
Italian
-6
-0.3pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Kanimbla (Qld). 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 | 2,040 | 72.6% | 76.8% | 1,983 | 74.4% | 77.7% | +57 | -1.8pp |
| Nepali | 114 | 4.1% | 0.7% | 18 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +96 | +3.4pp |
| Not stated | 108 | 3.8% | 9.2% | 203 | 7.6% | 9.1% | -95 | -3.8pp |
| Japanese | 88 | 3.1% | 1.4% | 73 | 2.7% | 1.5% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 41 | 1.5% | 0.7% | 46 | 1.7% | 0.7% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Korean | 40 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 51 | 1.9% | 0.6% | -11 | -0.5pp |
| Cantonese | 37 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 25 | 0.9% | 0.3% | +12 | +0.4pp |
| Malayalam | 32 | 1.1% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +26 | +0.9pp |
| Punjabi | 26 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 24 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 21 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 27 | 1.0% | 0.7% | -6 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 2,808 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,665 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +143 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.