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 Torres (S), accounting for 41.6% (1,419 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd, which decreased by 163 people and 4.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Torres (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Torres (S) 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 Torres (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
1,419
% of total
41.6%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
1,419
41.6%
+4.5pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
1,332
% of total
39.1%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
1,332
39.1%
+4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
339
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
339
9.9%
-6.4pp
Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya
2021 count
75
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
75
2.2%
+0.4pp
Aboriginal English, so described
2021 count
56
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
-
56
1.6%
-
Creole, nfd
2021 count
28
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
28
0.8%
0.0pp
Meriam Mir
2021 count
25
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
25
0.7%
+0.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.4%
+0.1pp
Torres Strait Island Languages, nfd
2021 count
12
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
12
0.4%
-1.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+79
+4.5pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+80
+4.4pp
Not stated
-249
-6.4pp
Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya
+11
+0.4pp
Creole, nfd
-2
0.0pp
Meriam Mir
+7
+0.2pp
Japanese
+2
+0.1pp
Torres Strait Island Languages, nfd
-39
-1.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Torres (S). 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 | 1,419 | 41.6% | 83.7% | 1,340 | 37.1% | 84.3% | +79 | +4.5pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 1,332 | 39.1% | 0.3% | 1,252 | 34.7% | 0.2% | +80 | +4.4pp |
| Not stated | 339 | 9.9% | 7.4% | 588 | 16.3% | 7.8% | -249 | -6.4pp |
| Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya | 75 | 2.2% | 0.0% | 64 | 1.8% | 0.0% | +11 | +0.4pp |
| Aboriginal English, so described | 56 | 1.6% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Creole, nfd | 28 | 0.8% | 0.1% | 30 | 0.8% | 0.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Meriam Mir | 25 | 0.7% | 0.0% | 18 | 0.5% | 0.0% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Japanese | 13 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 11 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Torres Strait Island Languages, nfd | 12 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 51 | 1.4% | 0.0% | -39 | -1.0pp |
| Total | 3,411 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,607 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -196 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.