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 Isaac (R), accounting for 74.5% (16,392 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 612 people and 6.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Isaac (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Isaac (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 Isaac (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.

Isaac (R)
Regional Qld

English

2021 count

16,392

% of total

74.5%

Change from 2016

-6.7pp

Not stated

2021 count

4,597

% of total

20.9%

Change from 2016

+6.5pp

Tagalog

2021 count

151

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Filipino

2021 count

106

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

91

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Spanish

2021 count

59

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Hindi

2021 count

49

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Mandarin

2021 count

44

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Thai

2021 count

37

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Maori (New Zealand)

2021 count

34

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Isaac (R). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Language used at home for Isaac (R). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Qld%Count%Regional Qld%Countpp
English16,39274.5%83.7%17,00481.2%84.3%-612-6.7pp
Not stated4,59720.9%7.4%3,01614.4%7.8%+1,581+6.5pp
Tagalog1510.7%0.3%1420.7%0.3%+90.0pp
Filipino1060.5%0.3%740.4%0.2%+32+0.1pp
Afrikaans910.4%0.3%1040.5%0.3%-13-0.1pp
Spanish590.3%0.4%280.1%0.3%+31+0.2pp
Hindi490.2%0.2%410.2%0.1%+80.0pp
Mandarin440.2%0.7%370.2%0.7%+70.0pp
Thai370.2%0.2%360.2%0.2%+10.0pp
Maori (New Zealand)340.2%0.1%320.2%0.1%+20.0pp
Total22,014100.0%100.0%20,938100.0%100.0%+1,0760.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.