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 Cooktown, accounting for 75.3% (2,050 people). This share was higher than Cook (S) (72.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Guugu Yimidhirr, which increased by 87 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cooktown - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cooktown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cook (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cooktown, with comparison markers for Cook (S).
English
2021 count
2,050
% of total
75.3%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
2,050
75.3%
-3.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
443
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
443
16.3%
+0.6pp
Guugu Yimidhirr
2021 count
121
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
121
4.4%
+3.1pp
German
2021 count
17
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
17
0.6%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-6
-3.2pp
Not stated
+33
+0.6pp
Guugu Yimidhirr
+87
+3.1pp
German
-4
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cooktown. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cook (S)% | Count | % | Cook (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,050 | 75.3% | 72.5% | 2,056 | 78.5% | 74.9% | -6 | -3.2pp |
| Not stated | 443 | 16.3% | 18.1% | 410 | 15.7% | 16.6% | +33 | +0.6pp |
| Guugu Yimidhirr | 121 | 4.4% | 2.8% | 34 | 1.3% | 1.8% | +87 | +3.1pp |
| German | 17 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 21 | 0.8% | 0.8% | -4 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 2,724 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,618 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +106 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.