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 Kirkwood, accounting for 82.8% (2,072 people). This share was lower than Gladstone (R) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,059 people, while its share fell by 17.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kirkwood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Kirkwood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gladstone (R) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kirkwood, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).
English
2021 count
2,072
% of total
82.8%
Change from 2016
-17.2pp
2,072
82.8%
-17.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
92
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-
92
3.7%
-
Afrikaans
2021 count
57
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-
57
2.3%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
46
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
-
46
1.8%
-
Filipino
2021 count
40
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-
40
1.6%
-
Hindi
2021 count
23
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
23
0.9%
-
Tamil
2021 count
21
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
21
0.8%
-
Telugu
2021 count
19
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.8%
-
Urdu
2021 count
18
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
18
0.7%
-
Maori (New Zealand)
2021 count
15
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
15
0.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,059
-17.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Kirkwood. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Gladstone (R)% | Count | % | Gladstone (R)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,072 | 82.8% | 87.4% | 13 | 100.0% | 86.4% | +2,059 | -17.2pp |
| Not stated | 92 | 3.7% | 6.9% | - | - | 7.3% | - | - |
| Afrikaans | 57 | 2.3% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.6% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 46 | 1.8% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.7% | - | - |
| Filipino | 40 | 1.6% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Hindi | 23 | 0.9% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Tamil | 21 | 0.8% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Telugu | 19 | 0.8% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Urdu | 18 | 0.7% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 15 | 0.6% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 2,501 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,488 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.