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 Christmas Island, accounting for 29.3% (495 people). This share was lower than Other Territories (40.9%).
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Christmas Island - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Christmas Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Other Territories and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Christmas Island, with comparison markers for Other Territories.
English
2021 count
495
% of total
29.3%
Change from 2016
-
495
29.3%
-
Not stated
2021 count
443
% of total
26.2%
Change from 2016
-
443
26.2%
-
Malay
2021 count
311
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
-
311
18.4%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
235
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-
235
13.9%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
62
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-
62
3.7%
-
Min Nan
2021 count
35
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-
35
2.1%
-
Indonesian
2021 count
19
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
19
1.1%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
15
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
15
0.9%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Data table
Language used at home for Christmas Island. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Other Territories.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Other Territories% | Count | % | Other Territories% | Count | pp | |
| English | 495 | 29.3% | 40.9% | - | - | 37.5% | - | - |
| Not stated | 443 | 26.2% | 18.7% | - | - | 16.0% | - | - |
| Malay | 311 | 18.4% | 14.1% | - | - | 15.2% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 235 | 13.9% | 5.1% | - | - | 7.2% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 62 | 3.7% | 1.3% | - | - | 1.5% | - | - |
| Min Nan | 35 | 2.1% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Indonesian | 19 | 1.1% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 15 | 0.9% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.8% | - | - |
| Total | 1,689 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - | 100.0% | - | - |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.