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 Goondiwindi (R), accounting for 88% (9,059 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 175 people, while its share rose by 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Goondiwindi (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Goondiwindi (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Goondiwindi (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
9,059
% of total
88.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
9,059
88.0%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
914
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
914
8.9%
-1.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
53
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
53
0.5%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
42
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
42
0.4%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
31
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.3%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
31
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
31
0.3%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
28
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
28
0.3%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-175
+1.0pp
Not stated
-137
-1.0pp
Afrikaans
-2
0.0pp
Mandarin
+6
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+6
+0.1pp
Filipino
-5
0.0pp
Tagalog
+9
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-5
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Goondiwindi (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 | 9,059 | 88.0% | 83.7% | 9,234 | 87.0% | 84.3% | -175 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 914 | 8.9% | 7.4% | 1,051 | 9.9% | 7.8% | -137 | -1.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 53 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 55 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 42 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 36 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 31 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 31 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 36 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 28 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 19 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 19 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 10,292 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,619 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -327 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.