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 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 244 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kirkwood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken 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
Not stated
Afrikaans
Tagalog
Filipino
Hindi
Tamil
Telugu
Urdu
Maori (New Zealand)
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+244
+1.4pp
Not stated
-22
-1.4pp
Afrikaans
+30
+1.1pp
Tagalog
+1
-0.2pp
Filipino
+19
+0.7pp
Hindi
+5
+0.1pp
Tamil
+11
+0.4pp
Telugu
0
0.0pp
Urdu
+14
+0.5pp
Bengali
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken 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% | 1,828 | 81.4% | 86.4% | +244 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 92 | 3.7% | 6.9% | 114 | 5.1% | 7.3% | -22 | -1.4pp |
| Afrikaans | 57 | 2.3% | 0.7% | 27 | 1.2% | 0.6% | +30 | +1.1pp |
| Tagalog | 46 | 1.8% | 0.6% | 45 | 2.0% | 0.7% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 40 | 1.6% | 0.5% | 21 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +19 | +0.7pp |
| Hindi | 23 | 0.9% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Tamil | 21 | 0.8% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +11 | +0.4pp |
| Telugu | 19 | 0.8% | 0.1% | 19 | 0.8% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 18 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 4 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +14 | +0.5pp |
| Maori (New Zealand) | 15 | 0.6% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 2,501 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,245 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +256 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.