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 Sunshine Beach, accounting for 85.7% (2,115 people). This share was lower than Noosa (S) (88.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Portuguese, which increased by 24 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sunshine Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sunshine 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 Sunshine Beach, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).
English
2021 count
2,115
% of total
85.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,115
85.7%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
158
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
158
6.4%
-2.0pp
German
2021 count
43
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
43
1.7%
+0.6pp
Portuguese
2021 count
42
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
42
1.7%
+1.0pp
French
2021 count
22
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
22
0.9%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
19
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.8%
-
Italian
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.6%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+23
-0.5pp
Not stated
-47
-2.0pp
German
+16
+0.6pp
Portuguese
+24
+1.0pp
French
+4
+0.2pp
Italian
+5
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sunshine 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 | 2,115 | 85.7% | 88.6% | 2,092 | 86.2% | 88.6% | +23 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 158 | 6.4% | 5.7% | 205 | 8.4% | 6.4% | -47 | -2.0pp |
| German | 43 | 1.7% | 0.7% | 27 | 1.1% | 0.9% | +16 | +0.6pp |
| Portuguese | 42 | 1.7% | 0.6% | 18 | 0.7% | 0.2% | +24 | +1.0pp |
| French | 22 | 0.9% | 0.6% | 18 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 19 | 0.8% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Italian | 14 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 9 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 2,468 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,428 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +40 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.