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 Lakeland, accounting for 47.1% (154 people). This share was lower than Cook (S) (72.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 998 people and 44.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lakeland - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lakeland 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 Lakeland, with comparison markers for Cook (S).
English
2021 count
154
% of total
47.1%
Change from 2016
-44.8pp
154
47.1%
-44.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
64
% of total
19.6%
Change from 2016
+14.0pp
64
19.6%
+14.0pp
Bislama
2021 count
31
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-
31
9.5%
-
Samoan
2021 count
27
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-
27
8.3%
-
Vietnamese
2021 count
12
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
12
3.7%
+3.4pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-998
-44.8pp
Not stated
-6
+14.0pp
Vietnamese
+8
+3.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lakeland. 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 | 154 | 47.1% | 72.5% | 1,152 | 91.9% | 74.9% | -998 | -44.8pp |
| Not stated | 64 | 19.6% | 18.1% | 70 | 5.6% | 16.6% | -6 | +14.0pp |
| Bislama | 31 | 9.5% | 0.7% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Samoan | 27 | 8.3% | 0.6% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Vietnamese | 12 | 3.7% | 0.3% | 4 | 0.3% | - | +8 | +3.4pp |
| Total | 327 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,254 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -927 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.