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 West Gladstone, accounting for 86.1% (4,159 people). This share was lower than Gladstone (R) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 181 people, while its share rose by 6.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

West Gladstone - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for West Gladstone 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 West Gladstone, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).

West Gladstone
Gladstone (R)

English

2021 count

4,159

% of total

86.1%

Change from 2016

+6.4pp

Not stated

2021 count

281

% of total

5.8%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Tagalog

2021 count

38

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Filipino

2021 count

36

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Mandarin

2021 count

27

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Punjabi

2021 count

26

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Arabic

2021 count

24

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Tamil

2021 count

15

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Greek

2021 count

14

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Russian

2021 count

13

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

Language used at home for West Gladstone. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).

Language used at home for West Gladstone. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).
Language used at home for West Gladstone. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Gladstone (R)%Count%Gladstone (R)%Countpp
English4,15986.1%87.4%4,34079.7%86.4%-181+6.4pp
Not stated2815.8%6.9%3476.4%7.3%-66-0.6pp
Tagalog380.8%0.6%160.3%0.7%+22+0.5pp
Filipino360.7%0.5%160.3%0.5%+20+0.4pp
Mandarin270.6%0.2%460.8%0.3%-19-0.2pp
Punjabi260.5%0.2%170.3%0.2%+9+0.2pp
Arabic240.5%0.1%170.3%0.2%+7+0.2pp
Tamil150.3%0.2%80.1%0.2%+7+0.2pp
Greek140.3%0.1%90.2%0.1%+5+0.1pp
Russian130.3%0.1%80.1%0.1%+5+0.2pp
Total4,832100.0%100.0%5,444100.0%100.0%-6120.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.