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 Weipa (T), accounting for 77.3% (3,170 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (83.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Creole, nfd, which increased by 43 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Weipa (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Weipa (T) 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 Weipa (T), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
English
2021 count
3,170
% of total
77.3%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
3,170
77.3%
-4.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
548
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
548
13.4%
+3.2pp
Creole, nfd
2021 count
110
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
110
2.7%
+1.0pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
2021 count
46
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
46
1.1%
-0.8pp
Tagalog
2021 count
24
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.6%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
22
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
22
0.5%
+0.4pp
Fijian
2021 count
21
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.5%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
20
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
20
0.5%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
14
0.3%
-0.3pp
Pidgin, nfd
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-4
-4.4pp
Not stated
+151
+3.2pp
Creole, nfd
+43
+1.0pp
Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)
-28
-0.8pp
Tagalog
0
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+19
+0.4pp
Fijian
+4
+0.1pp
Filipino
+1
0.0pp
Thai
-9
-0.3pp
Pidgin, nfd
+10
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Weipa (T). 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 | 3,170 | 77.3% | 83.7% | 3,174 | 81.7% | 84.3% | -4 | -4.4pp |
| Not stated | 548 | 13.4% | 7.4% | 397 | 10.2% | 7.8% | +151 | +3.2pp |
| Creole, nfd | 110 | 2.7% | 0.1% | 67 | 1.7% | 0.1% | +43 | +1.0pp |
| Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) | 46 | 1.1% | 0.3% | 74 | 1.9% | 0.2% | -28 | -0.8pp |
| Tagalog | 24 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 24 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 22 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +19 | +0.4pp |
| Fijian | 21 | 0.5% | 0.0% | 17 | 0.4% | 0.0% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 20 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 19 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 23 | 0.6% | 0.2% | -9 | -0.3pp |
| Pidgin, nfd | 13 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,102 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,883 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +219 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.