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 White Rock (Cairns - Qld), accounting for 75.7% (3,710 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 40 people, while its share fell by 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
White Rock (Cairns - Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for White Rock (Cairns - 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 White Rock (Cairns - Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
3,710
% of total
75.7%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
3,710
75.7%
-1.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
540
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
540
11.0%
+0.8pp
Hmong
2021 count
72
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
72
1.5%
+0.5pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
71
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
71
1.4%
+0.5pp
Japanese
2021 count
58
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
58
1.2%
0.0pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
38
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.8%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
31
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
31
0.6%
+0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
27
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.6%
0.0pp
Maori (Cook Island)
2021 count
26
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
26
0.5%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
21
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
21
0.4%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+40
-1.9pp
Not stated
+57
+0.8pp
Hmong
+26
+0.5pp
Creole, nfd
+30
+0.5pp
Japanese
0
0.0pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+1
0.0pp
Filipino
+19
+0.3pp
Italian
-1
0.0pp
Maori (Cook Island)
+13
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-12
-0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for White Rock (Cairns - 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 | 3,710 | 75.7% | 76.8% | 3,670 | 77.6% | 77.7% | +40 | -1.9pp |
| Not stated | 540 | 11.0% | 9.2% | 483 | 10.2% | 9.1% | +57 | +0.8pp |
| Hmong | 72 | 1.5% | 0.4% | 46 | 1.0% | 0.4% | +26 | +0.5pp |
| Creole, nfd | 71 | 1.4% | 0.6% | 41 | 0.9% | 0.6% | +30 | +0.5pp |
| Japanese | 58 | 1.2% | 1.4% | 58 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 38 | 0.8% | 0.5% | 37 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 31 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 12 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +19 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 27 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 28 | 0.6% | 0.7% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Maori (Cook Island) | 26 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 21 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 33 | 0.7% | 0.5% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 4,899 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,730 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +169 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.