Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken at home for Douglas (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Douglas (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
Not stated
Spanish
Kuku Yalanji
Italian
German
French
Thai
Tagalog
Mandarin
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 spoken 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.