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 Central Highlands (R) (Qld), accounting for 82.7% (23,022 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 257 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Central Highlands (R) (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Central Highlands (R) (Qld) 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 Central Highlands (R) (Qld), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
23,022
% of total
82.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
23,022
82.7%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,182
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
3,182
11.4%
-0.8pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
182
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
182
0.7%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
153
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
153
0.5%
0.0pp
Tongan
2021 count
124
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
124
0.4%
+0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
113
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
113
0.4%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
108
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
108
0.4%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
64
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
64
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
53
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
53
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
51
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
51
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-257
-0.5pp
Not stated
-243
-0.8pp
Afrikaans
+23
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+19
0.0pp
Tongan
+85
+0.3pp
Filipino
-12
0.0pp
Mandarin
+34
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+6
0.0pp
Thai
+12
+0.1pp
Spanish
+8
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Central Highlands (R) (Qld). 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 | 23,022 | 82.7% | 83.7% | 23,279 | 83.2% | 84.3% | -257 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 3,182 | 11.4% | 7.4% | 3,425 | 12.2% | 7.8% | -243 | -0.8pp |
| Afrikaans | 182 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 159 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 153 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 134 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +19 | 0.0pp |
| Tongan | 124 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 39 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +85 | +0.3pp |
| Filipino | 113 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 125 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -12 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 108 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 74 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +34 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 64 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 58 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 53 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 41 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 51 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 43 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 27,843 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 27,990 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -147 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.