In 2021, 79 per cent of the Gladstone population was born in Australia, compared to 79.6 per cent in the Gladstone Region.

A further 4.1 per cent were born overseas from other English-speaking countries including, Canada, England, Ireland New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland and United States of America.

In Gladstone 9.5 per cent of the community were born in 37 different non-English speaking countries. Which is an increase of 3.8 per cent when compared to 2011 and 9.4 per cent in 2016.

The community of Boyne Tannum includes 2,478 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which is 7.1 per cent of the population. There has been a sizable increase in the number of people in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people in Gladstone. Representing 4.6 per cent (1,548 people) of the population in 2016 and 4.1 per cent (1,338) of the population 2021, an increase of 1,140 people over 10 years.

English is the main language spoken at home for 86 per cent of the community in Gladstone compared to 87.1 per cent in the Gladstone Region.5.9 per cent of households in the Gladstone speak another language other than English at home, with 37 languages spoken.