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 Douglas (S), accounting for 78.6% (9,717 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 439 people, while its share fell by 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Douglas (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Douglas (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 Douglas (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
9,717
% of total
78.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
9,717
78.6%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,458
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
1,458
11.8%
-1.6pp
Spanish
2021 count
265
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
265
2.1%
+1.7pp
Kuku Yalanji
2021 count
120
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
120
1.0%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
106
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
106
0.9%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
94
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
94
0.8%
-0.1pp
French
2021 count
69
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
69
0.6%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
39
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
39
0.3%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
38
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
38
0.3%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
34
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
34
0.3%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+439
-0.7pp
Not stated
-111
-1.6pp
Spanish
+219
+1.7pp
Kuku Yalanji
+54
+0.4pp
Italian
+10
+0.1pp
German
-12
-0.1pp
French
-9
-0.1pp
Thai
-7
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+23
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-10
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Douglas (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 | 9,717 | 78.6% | 83.7% | 9,278 | 79.3% | 84.3% | +439 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,458 | 11.8% | 7.4% | 1,569 | 13.4% | 7.8% | -111 | -1.6pp |
| Spanish | 265 | 2.1% | 0.4% | 46 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +219 | +1.7pp |
| Kuku Yalanji | 120 | 1.0% | 0.0% | 66 | 0.6% | 0.0% | +54 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 106 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 96 | 0.8% | 0.4% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| German | 94 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 106 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| French | 69 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 78 | 0.7% | 0.2% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 39 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 46 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 38 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +23 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 34 | 0.3% | 0.7% | 44 | 0.4% | 0.7% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 12,357 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 11,703 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +654 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.