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 Gladstone (R), accounting for 87.4% (55,537 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,264 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Gladstone (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Gladstone (R) 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 Gladstone (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
55,537
% of total
87.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
55,537
87.4%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,369
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
4,369
6.9%
-0.4pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
419
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
419
0.7%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
383
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
383
0.6%
-0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
329
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
329
0.5%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
155
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
155
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
133
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
133
0.2%
-0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
118
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
118
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
112
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
112
0.2%
0.0pp
Tamil
2021 count
108
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
108
0.2%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,264
+1.0pp
Not stated
-156
-0.4pp
Afrikaans
+27
+0.1pp
Tagalog
-57
-0.1pp
Filipino
+47
0.0pp
Spanish
+40
0.0pp
Mandarin
-45
-0.1pp
Hindi
-21
0.0pp
Thai
+18
0.0pp
Tamil
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Gladstone (R). 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 | 55,537 | 87.4% | 83.7% | 53,273 | 86.4% | 84.3% | +2,264 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 4,369 | 6.9% | 7.4% | 4,525 | 7.3% | 7.8% | -156 | -0.4pp |
| Afrikaans | 419 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 392 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +27 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 383 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 440 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -57 | -0.1pp |
| Filipino | 329 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 282 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +47 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 155 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 115 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +40 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 133 | 0.2% | 0.7% | 178 | 0.3% | 0.7% | -45 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 118 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 139 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -21 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 112 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 94 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Tamil | 108 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 111 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 63,512 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 61,644 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,868 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.