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 South Burnett (R), accounting for 87.9% (28,997 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Mandarin, which increased by 51 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
South Burnett (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for South 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 South Burnett (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
28,997
% of total
87.9%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
28,997
87.9%
-2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,978
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
2,978
9.0%
+1.5pp
Tagalog
2021 count
84
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
84
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
84
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
84
0.3%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
81
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
81
0.2%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
59
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
59
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
42
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
42
0.1%
-0.1pp
Auslan
2021 count
38
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.1%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
36
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
36
0.1%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
33
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
0.1%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+30
-2.2pp
Not stated
+553
+1.5pp
Tagalog
+3
0.0pp
Mandarin
+51
+0.2pp
Filipino
-12
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
+13
+0.1pp
German
-33
-0.1pp
Auslan
+16
0.0pp
French
+4
0.0pp
Arabic
+20
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for South 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 | 28,997 | 87.9% | 83.7% | 28,967 | 90.1% | 84.3% | +30 | -2.2pp |
| Not stated | 2,978 | 9.0% | 7.4% | 2,425 | 7.5% | 7.8% | +553 | +1.5pp |
| Tagalog | 84 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 81 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 84 | 0.3% | 0.7% | 33 | 0.1% | 0.7% | +51 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 81 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 93 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 59 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 46 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| German | 42 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 75 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -33 | -0.1pp |
| Auslan | 38 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 22 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| French | 36 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 32 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 33 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.0% | 0.2% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 32,970 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 32,151 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +819 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.