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 Cassowary Coast (R), accounting for 79.9% (23,291 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Italian, which decreased by 183 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cassowary Coast (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cassowary Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cassowary Coast (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
23,291
% of total
79.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
23,291
79.9%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,893
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
2,893
9.9%
+0.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
822
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
822
2.8%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
336
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
336
1.2%
-0.6pp
Hmong
2021 count
219
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
219
0.8%
+0.5pp
Bislama
2021 count
146
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
146
0.5%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
104
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
104
0.4%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
79
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
79
0.3%
0.0pp
Maori (Cook Island)
2021 count
76
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
76
0.3%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
64
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
64
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+23
-1.2pp
Not stated
+219
+0.6pp
Punjabi
+171
+0.5pp
Italian
-183
-0.6pp
Hmong
+125
+0.5pp
Tagalog
-14
0.0pp
Filipino
+3
0.0pp
Maori (Cook Island)
-8
0.0pp
German
-2
0.0pp
Mandarin
-15
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cassowary Coast (R). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| English | 23,291 | 79.9% | 83.7% | 23,268 | 81.1% | 84.3% | +23 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 2,893 | 9.9% | 7.4% | 2,674 | 9.3% | 7.8% | +219 | +0.6pp |
| Punjabi | 822 | 2.8% | 0.3% | 651 | 2.3% | 0.2% | +171 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 336 | 1.2% | 0.3% | 519 | 1.8% | 0.4% | -183 | -0.6pp |
| Hmong | 219 | 0.8% | 0.0% | 94 | 0.3% | 0.0% | +125 | +0.5pp |
| Bislama | 146 | 0.5% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 104 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 118 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -14 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 79 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 76 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Maori (Cook Island) | 76 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 84 | 0.3% | 0.0% | -8 | 0.0pp |
| German | 64 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 66 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 29,145 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,700 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +445 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.