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 Southern Downs (R), accounting for 88.1% (31,954 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 528 people, while its share fell by 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Southern Downs (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Southern Downs (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Southern Downs (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
31,954
% of total
88.1%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
31,954
88.1%
-1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,752
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
2,752
7.6%
+1.5pp
Italian
2021 count
252
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
252
0.7%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
124
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
124
0.3%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
92
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
92
0.3%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
86
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
86
0.2%
-0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
72
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
72
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
60
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
60
0.2%
0.0pp
Korean
2021 count
60
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
60
0.2%
0.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
57
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
57
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+528
-1.5pp
Not stated
+598
+1.5pp
Italian
-107
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+2
0.0pp
Filipino
+39
+0.1pp
German
-19
-0.1pp
Tagalog
+6
0.0pp
Spanish
+4
0.0pp
Korean
-20
0.0pp
Portuguese
+21
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Southern Downs (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 | 31,954 | 88.1% | 83.7% | 31,426 | 89.6% | 84.3% | +528 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,752 | 7.6% | 7.4% | 2,154 | 6.1% | 7.8% | +598 | +1.5pp |
| Italian | 252 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 359 | 1.0% | 0.4% | -107 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 124 | 0.3% | 0.7% | 122 | 0.3% | 0.7% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 92 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 53 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +39 | +0.1pp |
| German | 86 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 105 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 72 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 66 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 60 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 56 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Korean | 60 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 80 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -20 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 57 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 36 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 36,264 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 35,091 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,173 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.