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 Palm Cove, accounting for 82.9% (2,010 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,822 people, while its share fell by 12 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Palm Cove - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Palm Cove 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 Palm Cove, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
2,010
% of total
82.9%
Change from 2016
-12.0pp
2,010
82.9%
-12.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
196
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
196
8.1%
+3.0pp
German
2021 count
48
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-
48
2.0%
-
French
2021 count
22
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
22
0.9%
-
Thai
2021 count
21
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
21
0.9%
-
Spanish
2021 count
19
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.8%
-
Italian
2021 count
19
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.8%
-
Japanese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.8%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,822
-12.0pp
Not stated
+186
+3.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Palm Cove. 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 | 2,010 | 82.9% | 76.8% | 188 | 94.9% | 77.7% | +1,822 | -12.0pp |
| Not stated | 196 | 8.1% | 9.2% | 10 | 5.1% | 9.1% | +186 | +3.0pp |
| German | 48 | 2.0% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| French | 22 | 0.9% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Thai | 21 | 0.9% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Spanish | 19 | 0.8% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Italian | 19 | 0.8% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Japanese | 19 | 0.8% | 1.4% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Total | 2,424 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 198 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,226 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.