Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken 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)
Kalaw Kawaw Ya/Kalaw Lagaw Ya
Not stated
English
Creole, nfd
Meriam Mir
Australian Indigenous Languages, nfd
Aboriginal English, so described
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 spoken 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.