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 Sunrise Beach, accounting for 85.7% (3,144 people). This share was lower than Noosa (S) (88.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,915 people, while its share fell by 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sunrise Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sunrise Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Noosa (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunrise Beach, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).
English
2021 count
3,144
% of total
85.7%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
3,144
85.7%
-4.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
173
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-5.5pp
173
4.7%
-5.5pp
Spanish
2021 count
54
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-
54
1.5%
-
Portuguese
2021 count
50
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
50
1.4%
-
German
2021 count
44
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-
44
1.2%
-
French
2021 count
40
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
40
1.1%
-
Italian
2021 count
23
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
23
0.6%
-
Japanese
2021 count
21
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
21
0.6%
-
Swedish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.3%
-
Russian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,915
-4.1pp
Not stated
+147
-5.5pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sunrise Beach. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Noosa (S)% | Count | % | Noosa (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 3,144 | 85.7% | 88.6% | 229 | 89.8% | 88.6% | +2,915 | -4.1pp |
| Not stated | 173 | 4.7% | 5.7% | 26 | 10.2% | 6.4% | +147 | -5.5pp |
| Spanish | 54 | 1.5% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Portuguese | 50 | 1.4% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| German | 44 | 1.2% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| French | 40 | 1.1% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Italian | 23 | 0.6% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Japanese | 21 | 0.6% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Swedish | 11 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Russian | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 3,670 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 255 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,415 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.