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 Fraser Coast (R), accounting for 89.6% (99,403 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 9,336 people and 0.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Fraser Coast (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Fraser Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

English

+9,336

+0.9pp

Not stated

-720

-1.3pp

German

-10

0.0pp

Mandarin

+60

0.0pp

Tagalog

+24

0.0pp

Thai

+78

+0.1pp

Afrikaans

+68

+0.1pp

Filipino

+52

+0.1pp

Dutch

-19

-0.1pp

Malayalam

+80

0.0pp

Data table

Language used at home for Fraser Coast (R). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.

Language used at home for Fraser Coast (R). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Language used at home for Fraser Coast (R). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Qld%Count%Regional Qld%Countpp
English99,40389.6%83.7%90,06788.7%84.3%+9,336+0.9pp
Not stated7,3456.6%7.4%8,0657.9%7.8%-720-1.3pp
German3980.4%0.3%4080.4%0.4%-100.0pp
Mandarin2400.2%0.7%1800.2%0.7%+600.0pp
Tagalog2120.2%0.3%1880.2%0.3%+240.0pp
Thai1880.2%0.2%1100.1%0.2%+78+0.1pp
Afrikaans1850.2%0.3%1170.1%0.3%+68+0.1pp
Filipino1790.2%0.3%1270.1%0.2%+52+0.1pp
Dutch1500.1%0.1%1690.2%0.1%-19-0.1pp
Malayalam1380.1%0.2%580.1%0.1%+800.0pp
Total110,990100.0%100.0%101,494100.0%100.0%+9,4960.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.