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 Sunset, accounting for 84.2% (1,802 people). This share was higher than Mount Isa (C) (80.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 38 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sunset - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sunset in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mount Isa (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunset, with comparison markers for Mount Isa (C).
English
2021 count
1,802
% of total
84.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,802
84.2%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
153
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
153
7.1%
-3.9pp
Filipino
2021 count
28
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
28
1.3%
+0.7pp
Tagalog
2021 count
18
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
18
0.8%
+0.4pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-38
-0.5pp
Not stated
-87
-3.9pp
Filipino
+15
+0.7pp
Tagalog
+10
+0.4pp
Afrikaans
0
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sunset. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Isa (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mount Isa (C)% | Count | % | Mount Isa (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,802 | 84.2% | 80.3% | 1,840 | 84.7% | 79.7% | -38 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 153 | 7.1% | 10.0% | 240 | 11.0% | 11.9% | -87 | -3.9pp |
| Filipino | 28 | 1.3% | 0.9% | 13 | 0.6% | 1.0% | +15 | +0.7pp |
| Tagalog | 18 | 0.8% | 1.0% | 8 | 0.4% | 0.8% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Afrikaans | 12 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 12 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,141 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,172 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -31 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.