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 Stanthorpe, accounting for 84.3% (4,443 people). This share was lower than Southern Downs (R) (88.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 114 people, while its share rose by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Stanthorpe - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Stanthorpe in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Southern Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Stanthorpe, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
English
2021 count
4,443
% of total
84.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,443
84.3%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
374
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
374
7.1%
+0.9pp
Italian
2021 count
140
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
140
2.7%
-1.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
34
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
34
0.6%
0.0pp
Korean
2021 count
27
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
27
0.5%
-0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
26
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
26
0.5%
-0.7pp
German
2021 count
22
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22
0.4%
0.0pp
Hindi
2021 count
21
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
21
0.4%
+0.2pp
Portuguese
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
15
0.3%
-
Russian
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-114
+0.1pp
Not stated
+41
+0.9pp
Italian
-79
-1.3pp
Spanish
+2
0.0pp
Korean
-19
-0.4pp
Mandarin
-37
-0.7pp
German
0
0.0pp
Hindi
+10
+0.2pp
Russian
+9
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+9
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Stanthorpe. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Southern Downs (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Southern Downs (R)% | Count | % | Southern Downs (R)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,443 | 84.3% | 88.1% | 4,557 | 84.2% | 89.6% | -114 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 374 | 7.1% | 7.6% | 333 | 6.2% | 6.1% | +41 | +0.9pp |
| Italian | 140 | 2.7% | 0.7% | 219 | 4.0% | 1.0% | -79 | -1.3pp |
| Spanish | 34 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 32 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Korean | 27 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 46 | 0.9% | 0.2% | -19 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 26 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 63 | 1.2% | 0.3% | -37 | -0.7pp |
| German | 22 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 22 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Hindi | 21 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Portuguese | 15 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Russian | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,272 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,411 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -139 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.