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 Livingstone (S), accounting for 87.9% (34,555 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,627 people, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Livingstone (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Livingstone (S) 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 Livingstone (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
34,555
% of total
87.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
34,555
87.9%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,762
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
3,762
9.6%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
122
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
122
0.3%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
103
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
103
0.3%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
56
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
56
0.1%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
53
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
53
0.1%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
47
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
47
0.1%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
44
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
44
0.1%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
43
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
43
0.1%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
42
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
42
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,627
-0.2pp
Not stated
+347
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+36
+0.1pp
German
+5
0.0pp
French
+16
0.0pp
Tagalog
+9
0.0pp
Filipino
+14
0.0pp
Spanish
-2
0.0pp
Thai
+7
0.0pp
Mandarin
+9
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Livingstone (S). 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 | 34,555 | 87.9% | 83.7% | 31,928 | 88.1% | 84.3% | +2,627 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 3,762 | 9.6% | 7.4% | 3,415 | 9.4% | 7.8% | +347 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 122 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 86 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +36 | +0.1pp |
| German | 103 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 98 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| French | 56 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 40 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 53 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 44 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 47 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 33 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 44 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 46 | 0.1% | 0.3% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 43 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 36 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 42 | 0.1% | 0.7% | 33 | 0.1% | 0.7% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 39,334 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36,231 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,103 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.