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 Sarina, accounting for 86.8% (4,880 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (85%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 40 people, while its share fell by 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sarina - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sarina 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 Sarina, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
English
2021 count
4,880
% of total
86.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
4,880
86.8%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
594
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
594
10.6%
+0.7pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
26
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
26
0.5%
+0.3pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
20
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
20
0.4%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+40
-1.2pp
Not stated
+48
+0.7pp
Creole, nfd
+16
+0.3pp
Afrikaans
+10
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sarina. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,880 | 86.8% | 85.0% | 4,840 | 88.0% | 86.7% | +40 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 594 | 10.6% | 9.1% | 546 | 9.9% | 7.9% | +48 | +0.7pp |
| Creole, nfd | 26 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +16 | +0.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 20 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 18 | 0.3% | 0.8% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.7% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 5,622 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,503 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +119 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.