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 North Burnett (R), accounting for 84.1% (8,456 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 348 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
North Burnett (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for North Burnett (R) 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 North Burnett (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
8,456
% of total
84.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
8,456
84.1%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,056
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
1,056
10.5%
-0.8pp
Nepali
2021 count
98
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
98
1.0%
+0.7pp
Tongan
2021 count
73
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
73
0.7%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
29
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
29
0.3%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
28
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
28
0.3%
0.0pp
Korean
2021 count
28
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
28
0.3%
-0.4pp
Filipino
2021 count
25
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
25
0.2%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
23
0.2%
-0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
20
0.2%
+0.2pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-348
0.0pp
Not stated
-131
-0.8pp
Nepali
+67
+0.7pp
Tongan
-15
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
+9
+0.1pp
Tagalog
0
0.0pp
Korean
-49
-0.4pp
Filipino
-10
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-13
-0.1pp
Arabic
+16
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for North Burnett (R). 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 | 8,456 | 84.1% | 83.7% | 8,804 | 84.1% | 84.3% | -348 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,056 | 10.5% | 7.4% | 1,187 | 11.3% | 7.8% | -131 | -0.8pp |
| Nepali | 98 | 1.0% | 0.2% | 31 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +67 | +0.7pp |
| Tongan | 73 | 0.7% | 0.0% | 88 | 0.8% | 0.0% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 29 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 28 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 28 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Korean | 28 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 77 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -49 | -0.4pp |
| Filipino | 25 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 35 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.2% | 0.7% | 36 | 0.3% | 0.7% | -13 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.0% | 0.2% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 10,057 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,471 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -414 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.