Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Noosa (S), accounting for 88.6% (49,844 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,697 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Noosa (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Noosa (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Noosa (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
Not stated
German
French
Portuguese
Spanish
Italian
Dutch
Afrikaans
Japanese
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,697
0.0pp
Not stated
-163
-0.7pp
German
-48
-0.2pp
French
+80
+0.1pp
Portuguese
+211
+0.4pp
Spanish
+138
+0.2pp
Italian
+49
0.0pp
Dutch
-23
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
+17
0.0pp
Japanese
+5
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Noosa (S). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| English | 49,844 | 88.6% | 83.7% | 46,147 | 88.6% | 84.3% | +3,697 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 3,195 | 5.7% | 7.4% | 3,358 | 6.4% | 7.8% | -163 | -0.7pp |
| German | 411 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 459 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -48 | -0.2pp |
| French | 320 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 240 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +80 | +0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 311 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 100 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +211 | +0.4pp |
| Spanish | 300 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 162 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +138 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 234 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 185 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +49 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 129 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 152 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -23 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 105 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 88 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 104 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 99 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 56,251 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 52,096 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,155 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.