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, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Dalby, accounting for 88.8% (11,313 people). This share was higher than Western Downs (R) (86.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 66 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dalby - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Dalby in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Western Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dalby, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
English
Not stated
Tagalog
Filipino
Afrikaans
Hindi
Mandarin
Malayalam
Cantonese
German
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+66
+0.1pp
Not stated
-19
-0.2pp
Tagalog
+20
+0.2pp
Filipino
+23
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
-18
-0.2pp
Hindi
+8
0.0pp
Mandarin
+9
0.0pp
Malayalam
+5
0.0pp
Cantonese
+3
0.0pp
German
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Dalby. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Western Downs (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Western Downs (R)% | Count | % | Western Downs (R)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 11,313 | 88.8% | 86.2% | 11,247 | 88.7% | 85.7% | +66 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 844 | 6.6% | 9.8% | 863 | 6.8% | 10.8% | -19 | -0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 140 | 1.1% | 0.6% | 120 | 0.9% | 0.5% | +20 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 106 | 0.8% | 0.6% | 83 | 0.7% | 0.5% | +23 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 55 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 73 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -18 | -0.2pp |
| Hindi | 29 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 21 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 16 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| German | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 12,735 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,686 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +49 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.