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 Manunda, accounting for 68.1% (3,521 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which decreased by 43 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Manunda - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Manunda 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 Manunda, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
3,521
% of total
68.1%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
3,521
68.1%
+2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
605
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
605
11.7%
-2.5pp
Nepali
2021 count
212
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
212
4.1%
+0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
76
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
76
1.5%
-0.2pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
69
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
69
1.3%
+0.2pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
62
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
62
1.2%
-0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
60
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
60
1.2%
+0.4pp
Tagalog
2021 count
49
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
49
0.9%
-0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
41
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
41
0.8%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
34
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
34
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-13
+2.3pp
Not stated
-157
-2.5pp
Nepali
-5
+0.1pp
Japanese
-16
-0.2pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+8
+0.2pp
Creole, nfd
-7
-0.1pp
Punjabi
+15
+0.4pp
Tagalog
-5
-0.1pp
Korean
+3
+0.1pp
Italian
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Manunda. 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 | 3,521 | 68.1% | 76.8% | 3,534 | 65.8% | 77.7% | -13 | +2.3pp |
| Not stated | 605 | 11.7% | 9.2% | 762 | 14.2% | 9.1% | -157 | -2.5pp |
| Nepali | 212 | 4.1% | 0.7% | 217 | 4.0% | 0.5% | -5 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 76 | 1.5% | 1.4% | 92 | 1.7% | 1.5% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 69 | 1.3% | 0.5% | 61 | 1.1% | 0.4% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Creole, nfd | 62 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 69 | 1.3% | 0.6% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 60 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 45 | 0.8% | 0.5% | +15 | +0.4pp |
| Tagalog | 49 | 0.9% | 0.5% | 54 | 1.0% | 0.5% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Korean | 41 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 38 | 0.7% | 0.6% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 34 | 0.7% | 0.6% | 37 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,173 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,374 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -201 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.