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 West Mackay, accounting for 81.9% (5,348 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (85%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 280 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West 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 West Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
English
2021 count
5,348
% of total
81.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
5,348
81.9%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
576
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
576
8.8%
-0.8pp
Tagalog
2021 count
143
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
143
2.2%
-0.4pp
Filipino
2021 count
97
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
97
1.5%
+0.4pp
Maltese
2021 count
32
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
32
0.5%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
26
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.4%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
24
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.4%
0.0pp
Gujarati
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.3%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.3%
+0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+280
+0.1pp
Not stated
-18
-0.8pp
Tagalog
-16
-0.4pp
Filipino
+31
+0.4pp
Maltese
0
0.0pp
Mandarin
+6
+0.1pp
Italian
-3
0.0pp
Gujarati
+6
+0.1pp
Hindi
+13
+0.2pp
Malayalam
-1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for West 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 | 5,348 | 81.9% | 85.0% | 5,068 | 81.8% | 86.7% | +280 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 576 | 8.8% | 9.1% | 594 | 9.6% | 7.9% | -18 | -0.8pp |
| Tagalog | 143 | 2.2% | 0.8% | 159 | 2.6% | 0.7% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| Filipino | 97 | 1.5% | 0.5% | 66 | 1.1% | 0.5% | +31 | +0.4pp |
| Maltese | 32 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 32 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 26 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 24 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 27 | 0.4% | 0.2% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Gujarati | 18 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 18 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 17 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,529 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,195 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +334 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.