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 Atherton, accounting for 84.9% (6,535 people). This share was lower than Tablelands (R) (85.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 104 people, while its share fell by 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Atherton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Atherton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Tablelands (R) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Atherton, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).
English
2021 count
6,535
% of total
84.9%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
6,535
84.9%
-3.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
724
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
724
9.4%
+2.6pp
Italian
2021 count
80
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
80
1.0%
-0.5pp
German
2021 count
33
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.4%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
21
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
21
0.3%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.2%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
17
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.2%
0.0pp
Japanese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.2%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.2%
0.0pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
13
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+104
-3.0pp
Not stated
+224
+2.6pp
Italian
-32
-0.5pp
German
+3
0.0pp
Punjabi
+13
+0.2pp
Filipino
+6
0.0pp
Dutch
-1
0.0pp
Japanese
+12
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+4
0.0pp
Tok Pisin (Neomelanesian)
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Atherton. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,535 | 84.9% | 85.2% | 6,431 | 87.9% | 87.3% | +104 | -3.0pp |
| Not stated | 724 | 9.4% | 9.8% | 500 | 6.8% | 8.5% | +224 | +2.6pp |
| Italian | 80 | 1.0% | 0.6% | 112 | 1.5% | 0.9% | -32 | -0.5pp |
| German | 33 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 30 | 0.4% | 0.6% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 21 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 19 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 17 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 18 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Japanese | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 15 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 7,693 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,316 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +377 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.