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 Andergrove, accounting for 86.2% (8,561 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (85%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 202 people, while its share fell by 2.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Andergrove - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Andergrove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Andergrove, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).

Andergrove
Mackay (R)

English

2021 count

8,561

% of total

86.2%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

776

% of total

7.8%

Change from 2016

+1.6pp

Afrikaans

2021 count

83

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Filipino

2021 count

49

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Mandarin

2021 count

46

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Punjabi

2021 count

32

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tagalog

2021 count

26

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Thai

2021 count

23

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Auslan

2021 count

21

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Italian

2021 count

17

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

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

Language used at home for Andergrove. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
Language used at home for Andergrove. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mackay (R)%Count%Mackay (R)%Countpp
English8,56186.2%85.0%8,35988.8%86.7%+202-2.6pp
Not stated7767.8%9.1%5846.2%7.9%+192+1.6pp
Afrikaans830.8%0.5%500.5%0.5%+33+0.3pp
Filipino490.5%0.5%120.1%0.5%+37+0.4pp
Mandarin460.5%0.3%250.3%0.3%+21+0.2pp
Punjabi320.3%0.2%220.2%0.1%+10+0.1pp
Tagalog260.3%0.8%240.3%0.7%+20.0pp
Thai230.2%0.2%160.2%0.2%+70.0pp
Auslan210.2%0.1%190.2%0.1%+20.0pp
Italian170.2%0.2%140.1%0.2%+3+0.1pp
Total9,934100.0%100.0%9,413100.0%100.0%+5210.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.