Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Smithfield (Qld), accounting for 77.7% (5,157 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 972 people, while its share fell by 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Smithfield (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Smithfield (Qld) 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 Smithfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
Not stated
Japanese
Punjabi
Mandarin
Korean
German
Arabic
Cantonese
Malayalam
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+972
-1.1pp
Not stated
+42
-0.5pp
Japanese
+48
+0.5pp
Punjabi
+47
+0.5pp
Mandarin
+23
+0.1pp
Korean
+35
+0.4pp
German
+4
-0.1pp
Arabic
+34
+0.4pp
Cantonese
+16
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+28
+0.4pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Smithfield (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 | 5,157 | 77.7% | 76.8% | 4,185 | 78.8% | 77.7% | +972 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 349 | 5.3% | 9.2% | 307 | 5.8% | 9.1% | +42 | -0.5pp |
| Japanese | 102 | 1.5% | 1.4% | 54 | 1.0% | 1.5% | +48 | +0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 95 | 1.4% | 0.6% | 48 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +47 | +0.5pp |
| Mandarin | 92 | 1.4% | 0.7% | 69 | 1.3% | 0.7% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 79 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 44 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +35 | +0.4pp |
| German | 44 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 40 | 0.8% | 0.6% | +4 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 42 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +34 | +0.4pp |
| Cantonese | 40 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 24 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 38 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +28 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 6,636 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,310 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,326 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.