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 Tablelands (R), accounting for 85.2% (22,335 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 679 people, while its share fell by 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tablelands (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Tablelands (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 Tablelands (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
22,335
% of total
85.2%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
22,335
85.2%
-2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,568
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
2,568
9.8%
+1.3pp
German
2021 count
184
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
184
0.7%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
152
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
152
0.6%
-0.3pp
Bislama
2021 count
84
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
84
0.3%
-
Dutch
2021 count
67
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
67
0.3%
+0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
62
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
62
0.2%
0.0pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
48
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
48
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
40
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
40
0.2%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
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
+679
-2.1pp
Not stated
+461
+1.3pp
German
+27
+0.1pp
Italian
-67
-0.3pp
Dutch
+17
+0.1pp
Japanese
+17
0.0pp
Creole, nfd
+17
+0.1pp
French
+3
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+21
+0.1pp
Thai
+7
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Tablelands (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 | 22,335 | 85.2% | 83.7% | 21,656 | 87.3% | 84.3% | +679 | -2.1pp |
| Not stated | 2,568 | 9.8% | 7.4% | 2,107 | 8.5% | 7.8% | +461 | +1.3pp |
| German | 184 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 157 | 0.6% | 0.4% | +27 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 152 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 219 | 0.9% | 0.4% | -67 | -0.3pp |
| Bislama | 84 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Dutch | 67 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 50 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 62 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 45 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Creole, nfd | 48 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 31 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| French | 40 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 37 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 33 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 12 | 0.0% | 0.2% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 26,229 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 24,812 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,417 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.