Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 South Mackay, accounting for 83.1% (5,724 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (85%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 135 people, while its share fell by 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for South Mackay 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 South Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
English
Not stated
Tagalog
Filipino
Thai
Mandarin
Vietnamese
Spanish
Italian
Malayalam
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+135
-0.4pp
Not stated
+93
+1.2pp
Tagalog
-11
-0.2pp
Filipino
-16
-0.3pp
Thai
+8
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+7
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+12
+0.1pp
Spanish
+12
+0.2pp
Italian
-2
0.0pp
Portuguese
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for South Mackay. 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 | 5,724 | 83.1% | 85.0% | 5,589 | 83.5% | 86.7% | +135 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 555 | 8.1% | 9.1% | 462 | 6.9% | 7.9% | +93 | +1.2pp |
| Tagalog | 165 | 2.4% | 0.8% | 176 | 2.6% | 0.7% | -11 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 103 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 119 | 1.8% | 0.5% | -16 | -0.3pp |
| Thai | 28 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 28 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 24 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 19 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 21 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 6,886 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,692 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +194 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.