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 Thursday Island, accounting for 42.2% (1,175 people). This share was higher than Torres (S) (41.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd, which decreased by 94 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Thursday Island - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Thursday Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Torres (S) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Thursday Island, with comparison markers for Torres (S).
English
2021 count
1,175
% of total
42.2%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
1,175
42.2%
+3.9pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
1,084
% of total
38.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
1,084
38.9%
+2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
275
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
275
9.9%
-5.4pp
Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya
2021 count
54
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
54
1.9%
+0.6pp
Aboriginal English, so described
2021 count
48
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-
48
1.7%
-
Creole, nfd
2021 count
32
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
32
1.1%
+0.2pp
Meriam Mir
2021 count
25
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
25
0.9%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+56
+3.9pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+11
+2.2pp
Not stated
-171
-5.4pp
Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya
+15
+0.6pp
Creole, nfd
+5
+0.2pp
Meriam Mir
+7
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Thursday Island. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Torres (S)% | Count | % | Torres (S)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,175 | 42.2% | 41.6% | 1,119 | 38.3% | 37.1% | +56 | +3.9pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 1,084 | 38.9% | 39.1% | 1,073 | 36.7% | 34.7% | +11 | +2.2pp |
| Not stated | 275 | 9.9% | 9.9% | 446 | 15.3% | 16.3% | -171 | -5.4pp |
| Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya | 54 | 1.9% | 2.2% | 39 | 1.3% | 1.8% | +15 | +0.6pp |
| Aboriginal English, so described | 48 | 1.7% | 1.6% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Creole, nfd | 32 | 1.1% | 0.8% | 27 | 0.9% | 0.8% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Meriam Mir | 25 | 0.9% | 0.7% | 18 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 2,786 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,924 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -138 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.