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 Malanda, accounting for 87.4% (1,744 people). This share was higher than Tablelands (R) (85.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Japanese, which increased by 19 people and 1 percentage point.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Malanda - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Malanda 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 Malanda, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).

Malanda
Tablelands (R)

English

2021 count

1,744

% of total

87.4%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Not stated

2021 count

169

% of total

8.5%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Japanese

2021 count

23

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

German

2021 count

20

% of total

1.0%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Dutch

2021 count

10

% of total

0.5%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Language used at home for Malanda. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).

Language used at home for Malanda. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
Language used at home for Malanda. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Tablelands (R)%Count%Tablelands (R)%Countpp
English1,74487.4%85.2%1,75489.2%87.3%-10-1.8pp
Not stated1698.5%9.8%1799.1%8.5%-10-0.6pp
Japanese231.2%0.2%40.2%0.2%+19+1.0pp
German201.0%0.7%140.7%0.6%+6+0.3pp
Dutch100.5%0.3%--0.2%--
Total1,996100.0%100.0%1,966100.0%100.0%+300.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.