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 Tewantin, accounting for 88.3% (9,846 people). This share was lower than Noosa (S) (88.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 9,579 people, while its share fell by 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tewantin - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Tewantin 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 Tewantin, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).
English
2021 count
9,846
% of total
88.3%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
9,846
88.3%
-3.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
679
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
679
6.1%
-1.1pp
German
2021 count
80
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
80
0.7%
-
French
2021 count
75
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
75
0.7%
-
Spanish
2021 count
46
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
46
0.4%
-
Portuguese
2021 count
42
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
42
0.4%
-
Italian
2021 count
40
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
40
0.4%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
31
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
31
0.3%
-
Dutch
2021 count
28
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
28
0.3%
-
Thai
2021 count
24
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
24
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+9,579
-3.5pp
Not stated
+658
-1.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Tewantin. 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 | 9,846 | 88.3% | 88.6% | 267 | 91.8% | 88.6% | +9,579 | -3.5pp |
| Not stated | 679 | 6.1% | 5.7% | 21 | 7.2% | 6.4% | +658 | -1.1pp |
| German | 80 | 0.7% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.9% | - | - |
| French | 75 | 0.7% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| Spanish | 46 | 0.4% | 0.5% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Portuguese | 42 | 0.4% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Italian | 40 | 0.4% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 31 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Dutch | 28 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Thai | 24 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Total | 11,148 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 291 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,857 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.