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 Whitfield (Qld), accounting for 84.2% (3,573 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 22 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Whitfield (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Whitfield (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 Whitfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
3,573
% of total
84.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
3,573
84.2%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
210
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
210
5.0%
-1.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
97
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
97
2.3%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
29
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
29
0.7%
+0.3pp
German
2021 count
25
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
25
0.6%
-0.3pp
Italian
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
21
0.5%
-0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
20
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.5%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.4%
-
Indonesian
2021 count
18
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.4%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
17
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-22
-0.4pp
Not stated
-51
-1.1pp
Japanese
+3
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+11
+0.3pp
German
-12
-0.3pp
Italian
-12
-0.3pp
Tagalog
+4
+0.1pp
Indonesian
+9
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+6
+0.1pp
Dutch
+12
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Whitfield (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 | 3,573 | 84.2% | 76.8% | 3,595 | 84.6% | 77.7% | -22 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 210 | 5.0% | 9.2% | 261 | 6.1% | 9.1% | -51 | -1.1pp |
| Japanese | 97 | 2.3% | 1.4% | 94 | 2.2% | 1.5% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 29 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 18 | 0.4% | 0.7% | +11 | +0.3pp |
| German | 25 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 37 | 0.9% | 0.6% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Italian | 21 | 0.5% | 0.6% | 33 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -12 | -0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 20 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 16 | 0.4% | 0.5% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 19 | 0.4% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Indonesian | 18 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 17 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 11 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,241 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,249 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -8 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.