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 Charters Towers (R), accounting for 84.4% (9,959 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 459 people and 3.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Charters Towers (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Charters Towers (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Charters Towers (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
9,959
% of total
84.4%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
9,959
84.4%
-3.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,541
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
1,541
13.1%
+3.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
27
0.2%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19
0.2%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
15
0.1%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
14
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.1%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.1%
0.0pp
Pidgin, nfd
2021 count
12
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-459
-3.4pp
Not stated
+355
+3.1pp
Malayalam
+18
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+10
+0.1pp
Tagalog
-2
0.0pp
Mandarin
+16
+0.2pp
Filipino
-10
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
+6
0.0pp
Cantonese
+7
0.0pp
Pidgin, nfd
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Charters Towers (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 | 9,959 | 84.4% | 83.7% | 10,418 | 87.8% | 84.3% | -459 | -3.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,541 | 13.1% | 7.4% | 1,186 | 10.0% | 7.8% | +355 | +3.1pp |
| Malayalam | 27 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 19 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 19 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 19 | 0.2% | 0.7% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.7% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 15 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 14 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 14 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Pidgin, nfd | 12 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 11,793 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,860 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -67 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.