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 Woree, accounting for 69% (3,524 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (76.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 47 people and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Woree - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Woree 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 Woree, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
English
2021 count
3,524
% of total
69.0%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
3,524
69.0%
-5.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
783
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+4.6pp
783
15.3%
+4.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
72
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
72
1.4%
+0.3pp
Hmong
2021 count
65
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
65
1.3%
-0.5pp
Tagalog
2021 count
63
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
63
1.2%
-0.4pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
58
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
58
1.1%
-0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
56
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
56
1.1%
+0.9pp
Japanese
2021 count
43
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
43
0.8%
-0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
37
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
37
0.7%
+0.3pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
35
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
35
0.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-47
-5.1pp
Not stated
+268
+4.6pp
Punjabi
+20
+0.3pp
Hmong
-20
-0.5pp
Tagalog
-13
-0.4pp
Creole, nfd
0
-0.1pp
Nepali
+46
+0.9pp
Japanese
-3
-0.2pp
Filipino
+17
+0.3pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+4
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Woree. 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 | 3,524 | 69.0% | 76.8% | 3,571 | 74.1% | 77.7% | -47 | -5.1pp |
| Not stated | 783 | 15.3% | 9.2% | 515 | 10.7% | 9.1% | +268 | +4.6pp |
| Punjabi | 72 | 1.4% | 0.6% | 52 | 1.1% | 0.5% | +20 | +0.3pp |
| Hmong | 65 | 1.3% | 0.4% | 85 | 1.8% | 0.4% | -20 | -0.5pp |
| Tagalog | 63 | 1.2% | 0.5% | 76 | 1.6% | 0.5% | -13 | -0.4pp |
| Creole, nfd | 58 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 58 | 1.2% | 0.6% | 0 | -0.1pp |
| Nepali | 56 | 1.1% | 0.7% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +46 | +0.9pp |
| Japanese | 43 | 0.8% | 1.4% | 46 | 1.0% | 1.5% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 37 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +17 | +0.3pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 35 | 0.7% | 0.5% | 31 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 5,106 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,817 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +289 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.