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 Cook (S), accounting for 72.5% (3,260 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 112 people, while its share fell by 2.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cook (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cook (S) 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 Cook (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
3,260
% of total
72.5%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
3,260
72.5%
-2.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
813
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
813
18.1%
+1.5pp
Guugu Yimidhirr
2021 count
125
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
125
2.8%
+1.0pp
Bislama
2021 count
31
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
31
0.7%
-
Samoan
2021 count
27
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
27
0.6%
-
German
2021 count
22
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
22
0.5%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.4%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
16
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
16
0.4%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
16
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
16
0.4%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+112
-2.4pp
Not stated
+115
+1.5pp
Guugu Yimidhirr
+48
+1.0pp
German
-13
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+1
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+10
+0.3pp
Thai
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cook (S). 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 | 3,260 | 72.5% | 83.7% | 3,148 | 74.9% | 84.3% | +112 | -2.4pp |
| Not stated | 813 | 18.1% | 7.4% | 698 | 16.6% | 7.8% | +115 | +1.5pp |
| Guugu Yimidhirr | 125 | 2.8% | 0.0% | 77 | 1.8% | 0.0% | +48 | +1.0pp |
| Bislama | 31 | 0.7% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Samoan | 27 | 0.6% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| German | 22 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 35 | 0.8% | 0.4% | -13 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 19 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 18 | 0.4% | 0.7% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 16 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +10 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 16 | 0.4% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 12 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 4,498 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,202 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +296 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.