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 Townview, accounting for 79.8% (1,648 people). This share was lower than Mount Isa (C) (80.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 18 people, while its share fell by 0.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Townview - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Townview 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 Townview, with comparison markers for Mount Isa (C).

Townview
Mount Isa (C)

English

2021 count

1,648

% of total

79.8%

Change from 2016

-0.5pp

Not stated

2021 count

184

% of total

8.9%

Change from 2016

-3.7pp

Filipino

2021 count

33

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Tagalog

2021 count

28

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Fijian

2021 count

24

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Shona

2021 count

12

% of total

0.6%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

Language used at home for Townview. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Isa (C).

Language used at home for Townview. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Isa (C).
Language used at home for Townview. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Isa (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mount Isa (C)%Count%Mount Isa (C)%Countpp
English1,64879.8%80.3%1,63080.3%79.7%+18-0.5pp
Not stated1848.9%10.0%25512.6%11.9%-71-3.7pp
Filipino331.6%0.9%371.8%1.0%-4-0.2pp
Tagalog281.4%1.0%130.6%0.8%+15+0.8pp
Fijian241.2%0.5%70.3%0.4%+17+0.9pp
Shona120.6%0.3%80.4%0.2%+4+0.2pp
Total2,066100.0%100.0%2,029100.0%100.0%+370.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.