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, Cape York Peninsula Languages, nec was the most common language used at home among residents in Yarrabah (S), accounting for 69.3% (1,732 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (0.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,719 people and 67.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Yarrabah (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Yarrabah (S) 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 Yarrabah (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Cape York Peninsula Languages, nec
2021 count
1,732
% of total
69.3%
Change from 2016
-
1,732
69.3%
-
English
2021 count
442
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-67.3pp
442
17.7%
-67.3pp
Aboriginal English, so described
2021 count
183
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-
183
7.3%
-
Not stated
2021 count
101
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
101
4.0%
+0.3pp
Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec
2021 count
11
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.4%
-
Nyungar
2021 count
10
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.4%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,719
-67.3pp
Not stated
+6
+0.3pp
Data table
Language used at home for Yarrabah (S). 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 | |
| Cape York Peninsula Languages, nec | 1,732 | 69.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| English | 442 | 17.7% | 83.7% | 2,161 | 85.0% | 84.3% | -1,719 | -67.3pp |
| Aboriginal English, so described | 183 | 7.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Not stated | 101 | 4.0% | 7.4% | 95 | 3.7% | 7.8% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec | 11 | 0.4% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Nyungar | 10 | 0.4% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 2,499 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,543 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -44 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.