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, Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) was the most common language used at home among residents in Torres Strait Island (R), accounting for 71% (2,922 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (0.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd, which decreased by 544 people and 12 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Torres Strait Island (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Torres Strait Island (R) 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 Strait Island (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
2,922
% of total
71.0%
Change from 2016
+14.8pp
2,922
71.0%
+14.8pp
Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya
2021 count
383
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
383
9.3%
-1.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
310
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
310
7.5%
-0.8pp
English
2021 count
262
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
262
6.4%
+1.1pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
89
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
89
2.2%
+0.4pp
Meriam Mir
2021 count
60
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
60
1.5%
-1.2pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
2021 count
39
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-12.0pp
39
0.9%
-12.0pp
Aboriginal English, so described
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
21
0.5%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
+391
+14.8pp
Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya
-119
-1.8pp
Not stated
-62
-0.8pp
English
+22
+1.1pp
Creole, nfd
+6
+0.4pp
Meriam Mir
-61
-1.2pp
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
-544
-12.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Torres Strait Island (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 | |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 2,922 | 71.0% | 0.3% | 2,531 | 56.2% | 0.2% | +391 | +14.8pp |
| Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya | 383 | 9.3% | 0.0% | 502 | 11.1% | 0.0% | -119 | -1.8pp |
| Not stated | 310 | 7.5% | 7.4% | 372 | 8.3% | 7.8% | -62 | -0.8pp |
| English | 262 | 6.4% | 83.7% | 240 | 5.3% | 84.3% | +22 | +1.1pp |
| Creole, nfd | 89 | 2.2% | 0.1% | 83 | 1.8% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.4pp |
| Meriam Mir | 60 | 1.5% | 0.0% | 121 | 2.7% | 0.0% | -61 | -1.2pp |
| Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd | 39 | 0.9% | 0.0% | 583 | 12.9% | 0.1% | -544 | -12.0pp |
| Aboriginal English, so described | 21 | 0.5% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 4,117 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,505 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -388 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.