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 Macleay Island, accounting for 88.6% (2,808 people). This share was lower than Redland (C) (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,606 people, while its share fell by 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Macleay Island - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Macleay Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Redland (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Macleay Island, with comparison markers for Redland (C).
English
2021 count
2,808
% of total
88.6%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
2,808
88.6%
-4.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
246
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
246
7.8%
+1.3pp
German
2021 count
16
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
16
0.5%
-
Italian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.3%
-
Thai
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
+2,606
-4.9pp
Not stated
+232
+1.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Macleay Island. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Redland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Redland (C)% | Count | % | Redland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 2,808 | 88.6% | 88.9% | 202 | 93.5% | 88.9% | +2,606 | -4.9pp |
| Not stated | 246 | 7.8% | 3.6% | 14 | 6.5% | 4.4% | +232 | +1.3pp |
| German | 16 | 0.5% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Italian | 11 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Thai | 10 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 3,169 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 216 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,953 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.